Free Agent Frenzy: Predicting The Top 5

http://iusportcom.com/prosports/free-agent-frenzy-predicting-the-top-5/

Dynasty By The Bay: The San Francisco Giants

http://iusportcom.com/prosports/dynasty-by-the-bay-the-san-francisco-giants/

There's the link to my newest post for IUSportcom.

New Article

http://iusportcom.com/uncategorized/how-far-the-mighty-have-fallen-the-untimely-end-of-alex-rodriguez/

A-Rod appears to be done in New York.

New Article

First of the year

What is going in Boston? Are the Dodgers for real? A Tale of Two Teams.
http://iusportcom.com/prosports/welcome-to-la-la-land/

Back home from College

Alas, it's the grand return of "The Creator."

Has a nice ring to it, no?

Anyway, I've returned home for the summer, finally finished with my freshman year of college at Indiana University.

finally finished with my freshman year of college...

Freshman year over? Already?! Where'd the time go?

This past year flew by, and by that I mean it was almost all a blur. Things went by quickly my first year at school, and I really hit the ground runnin'.

I can honestly say that I had a great first year of school. I met some great people, got involved with what I love to do instantly, and all in all, grew as a person. I'm definitely more mature, although my parents and girlfriend may disagree on that a tad. I've for sure grown up, becoming a little more realistic with things and learning what the "real world" is about. Being away at school (literally away, 14 hours by car and a plane ride home every break) really taught me about being my own person and taking care of myself. It's not like Mom and Dad were around the corner. Well, maybe if the corner was 14 hours away, but I digress. I really had to learn how to take care of myself and deal with the obstacles that come with being a college student away from home for X amount of months for the first time.

At the beginning it was really difficult. I struggled to cope with home sickness and had quite a few panic attacks when I realized how far away from home I truly was. It was tough to leave my family, girlfriend, best friends, and even my two dopey dogs who, thankfully, didn't treat me like a stranger every time I came home. Making friends at school was the easy part. I'm pretty social, as if you didn't already know, and made friends instantly when I got to school. A majority of them ended up being people I hung out with and continued to keep in my inner circle for the year, but a few were ousted, some bridges burned, but it's all good. It's dorm life. I'm even living with two of my best friends at school next year. Go figure.

Other than the typical college personal bullshit, getting involved with Sports Communication was perhaps the easiest part of anything at school. Within the first week, I was already a blogger for IUSportcom.com and a producer for a sports radio show on WIUX 99.1 FM. As the year dragged on, I became more involved. I kept on writing new pieces for IUSportCom, broadcasted the IU Men's Basketball game vs. Stetson on the air - doing color commentary, and in the second semester, hosted two radio shows (East Coast Flavor and The Weekend Wind-Up).

The fact that IUBB (IU basketball) had an AMAZING season (ousted in the Sweet Sixteen by Kentucky), after starting the season unranked helped a lot. I'll never forget Christian Watford's buzzer beater vs. Kentucky at Assembly Hall in December. It was the best sporting even I've ever been to in my life, and I've been to a ton of events. Cody Zeller, our best player, in his freshman season, emerged as one of the Top-10 best players in college basketball. We signed three top-100 recruits going into next season, and are a preseason #1 ranked team. Life is honestly TOO good right now to be a Hoosier.

It was a good year. I learned the map of Bloomington, the where-to-go's and where-not-to's and really became at home with the town and beautiful campus. It really was all I could have asked for as a freshman. I hope sophomore year exceeds those expectations, and I'm already counting down til I go back.

For now, I'm going to really enjoy this summer. I've got Deanna's prom coming up, a week-long vacation with my boys in Rhode Island later this summer, WARPED TOUR, and a trip to Florida with the family on the horizon. I've got an internship interview on Tuesday with i95 in Brookfield, CT to see if I can work with their radio station, so here's to hoping that goes well. All good vibes are appreciated.

Anyway, I'm sure I'll talk to you all again at some point later this summer. Stay strong and party on. I'll leave you with a few tips I learned at college:

1. ALWAYS wear flip-flops in the college showers. They suck, but trust me, just do it.

2. When in the bathroom, be it in the stall or the shower, you are always vulnerable to a cup of freezing cold water being hurled at you.

3. Remember, every night you go out to party, to always thank the inventor of auto-correct on your cell phone.

4. Sleep is a treasured commodity. Take naps. They are like gold.

5. Do not order Mother Bear's at 3 AM. You'll regret that in the morning.

6. Grapefruit Hockey, in the halls, is never a good idea.

Bryce Harper: Already Hated?

Last piece for IUSportCom as the year wraps up.

http://iusportcom.com/prosports/that-was-quick-already-public-enemy-no-1/

or Click here.

MLB Predictions Article for IUSportCom

You know what to do!

Click here!

and here's the link if you'd rather copy & paste:

http://iusportcom.com/prosports/and-here-we-go-opening-night-predictions-edition/

There's Magic in Los Angeles

http://iusportcom.com/prosports/theres-magic-in-los-angeles/

Fun starts after the jump!

New piece!

Head on over to www.iusportcom.com to see my new piece on Manny Ramirez and the Oakland A's!

Make sure you read the blog "Handszer on Hardball" every few weeks for new content!

IUSportCom is my new place for my work, and you can find all of my pieces on the right hand side of your screen in the IUSportCom work box!

Thanks all!

http://iusportcom.com/prosports/manny-ball/

New WIUX Radio Show Times

Hey all, updating this for once in what seems to be a long, long time.

First semester of school went incredibly well. I've been able to do a lot of work in the sports media field. I had a radio show, broadcasted an IU basketball game, and have been writing constantly for IUSportCom, as I've linked many times.

A few days ago we received our new shows and show times for this semester. I've got two shows this semester.

Thursday mornings, 10-11 AM is "East Coast Flavor."

Saturday afternoons, 1-2 PM is "Forest, the People."

Remember, it's WIUX 99.1 FM. You can stream the shows live on wiux.org and just click the stream live button on the right hand corner.

Thanks for all the support and thanks to all those who still read this blog! It's been a long trip, but I'm almost there!

What Problem?

Check out my latest piece for IUSportCom!

http://iusportcom.com/prosports/what-problem/

Bobby Valentine Article

Ba-boom, check it.

http://iusportcom.com/prosports/valentines-day-red-sox-get-their-man-but-is-he-the-right-choice/

Let's Start the Bidding at...

Baseball is over. As hard as it is for me to say that, it's true. Baseball is over...

...well, for the most part.

Free Agency Frenzy is upon us!

As of 12:01 AM, players who have filed for free agency can begin negotiating new contracts with all 30 clubs. The star studded free agent class, headlined by St. Louis Cardinals slugger/machine/alien/god, Albert Pujols, is sure to be the topic of interest this offseason, as teams look to improve their clubs to gear up for the 2012 season.

While Pujols is the cream-of-the-crop of free agent hitters, the top free agent pitcher did not even get the chance to hit free agency. The Yankees re-signed ace left-hander CC Sabathia to a five-year, $122 million contract to make him the highest paid pitcher in baseball. Sabathia, who was in the midst of a seven-year, $161 million contract had an opt-out clause that could have allowed him to hit free agency. However, after professing his love for New York and the Yankees, the two sides were able to reach an agreement rather quickly and prevent Sabathia from using the opt-out clause.

So we've got our first big name off of the market. While the marlin has been reeled in, there are still plenty of big fish left in the pond. I know, lame analogy, but it worked a little? (Please, give me some laughs)

With many other great free agent hitters and pitchers auctioning their services, this market will be one to surely keep an eye on. Who will go where? How much? Will we have some shockers?

I compiled a list of the top-five free agents, and gave my take on where they'd end up and how much it'd take to get them. So without further adieu, let's start with number one:

1. Albert Pujols

Position: First Base

Opening Day 2012 age: 32

Original Team: St. Louis Cardinals

Baseball, meet your next $200 million man. If anyone's deserving of the next $200+ million contract, it's 32 year-old Jose Alberto Pujols.

A three-time National League Most Valuable Player and a career .328 hitter who has slugged 445 home runs over an 11-year career with the Cardinals, "The Machine" might be the best player in the game. Scratch that, it's not even debatable - he is the game's best.

Fresh off his second World Championship in this year's feat over the Texas Rangers, Albert is looking to cash in big-time. However, he just completed his "worst" season, hitting .299 with 37 home runs and 99 RBIs, snapping his 10-year streak of a .300+ batting average, 30+ home runs and 100+ RBIs. He must be pretty washed up, eh?

There's a chance he could pass Alex Rodriguez's record setting $275 million contract (signed in 2008) with the Yankees, but will it happen in St. Louis?

That remains to be seen.

Will the Cardinals give Albert what he's worth to keep their star in red and white? My senses are telling me that there's absolutely no way that Albert Pujols leaves St. Louis. It's a scary thought for sure, handing out a huge $200 million contract to a player who's nearing his mid-thirties and will hit the inevitable decline stage, but it's something simply the Cardinals must do, if not for their team then for their fan base. Albert is going to spend the rest of his career mashing the ball in Busch Stadium

Destination: St. Louis Cardinals, eight-years/$245 million

2. Prince Fielder

Position: First Base

Opening Day 2012 age: 27

Original Team: Milwaukee Brewers

At just 27 years of age, Big Daddy Jr. will be hitting the free agent market. The second-best hitter on the market, Prince Fielder will be looking for at least over $180 million wherever he decides to take his talents. A bulky kid, standing at 5'11 and 275 lbs, Prince is sure to provide the pop to whichever team requests his services.

After publicly stating that he probably would not return to the Brewers, public speculation is that Prince will 100% be in another uniform come Opening Day. With Fielder, a team is getting a player who plays solid defense at first base, provides at least 37 home runs, and energizes a clubhouse. The big lefty slugger was a key cog in Milwaukee's playoff run this season, hitting .299 with 38 home runs and 120 RBIs during the regular season.

Teams are reported to be scared of Fielder for one reason: his weight. Fielder, like his father Cecil, has always been known to be a big guy. While his weight hasn't been shown to effect him in his career so far, there is worry that as he ages the weight will soon take its toll on his knees. If his weight issue doesn't scare teams, perhaps super agent Scott Boras, who just so happens to represent Fielder, will.

With Boras, it's very likely that Fielder will demand a long-term deal that should be within the $180-200 million range. For a player of Fielder's strengths and age, it makes sense... but where is the fit?

Enter, the Chicago Cubs.

With new President of Baseball Operations, Theo Epstein, and General Manager, Jed Hoyer, at the helm, expect the Cubs to be very aggressive suitors for Fielder's services. With tons of money to spend, and a rebuilding process in the works, Chicago could look into securing Fielder as the cornerstone piece to their return to glory alongside Starlin Castro. The Cubs currently hold a vacancy at first base, and I'm sure that Prince would love to mash some homers onto Sheffield Avenue.

Destination: Chicago Cubs, seven-years/$195 million

3. Jose Reyes

Position: Shortstop

Opening Day 2012 age: 28

Original Team: New York Mets

Mets fans, time to toss those "KEEP REYES" t-shirts. Jose Reyes, the National League's batting champion, is looking for a new home.

A career Met, Reyes is most likely not going to return to Flushing next season to play in the newly refurbished Citi Field. A high-contact hitter who focuses his game on stealing bases and hitting triples, Reyes, 28, is looking at upwards of $100 million. In other words, he'll be taking his services to whoever presents him with "Carl Crawford Money."

"Carl Crawford Money" refers to the seven-year, $142 million contract that Crawford signed with the Boston Red Sox last winter. Reyes and Crawford are similar players who base their game on speed and hitting for contact. After the season Reyes just had, .337 with seven home runs, 44 RBI and 39 stolen bases, one would think that he is definitely deserving of such a contract. However, Reyes has been known throughout his career to be injury-prone, as he spent part of each of the past three seasons on the disabled list, and is, in some ways, a shell of the former player he once was.

Once a lock for 60+ stolen bases, Reyes can no longer run the way he used to. Various hamstring and foot injuries have derailed his base running skills. No team should expect for him to steal upwards of 50 bases, as around 30-40 seems more reasonable. Despite these injuries, Reyes is still one of the best shortstops in the game.

Is Reyes deserving of $140 million? His play on the field says yes, but any team looking to sign the All-Star Reyes will probably be cautious. I've always been a big believer in being cautious before giving a big contract to a player who bases his game on speed. As Reyes ages, his speed with inevitably start to slow, and he'll now longer be a stolen base threat. It's a risk that some team will have to take on Reyes.

That being said, I see Reyes landing his big deal with the Milwaukee Brewers. The Brewers, who cut loose shortstop Yunieksy Betancourt, would be the perfect fit for Reyes. The Brewers would not only be fixing their hole at shortstop, but they'd be adding another potent offensive hitter to help ease the loss of Prince Fielder, who most likely will not return to Milwaukee. Reyes fits the Brewers style of rag-tag, gritty-gutsy baseball, and has the energetic personality to light up a clubhouse that already includes Nyjer "Tony Plush" Morgan and NL MVP candidate, Ryan Braun.

Destination: Milwaukee Brewers, six-years/$138 million

4. C.J. Wilson

Position: Left Handed Starting Pitcher

Opening Day 2012 age: 31

Original Team: Texas Rangers

With CC Sabathia back in New York, C.J. Wilson becomes the cream-of-the-crop for free agent pitchers. Wilson, who has spent the past two years as a starter for Texas after five years in the bullpen, will be seeking anywhere from "A.J. Burnett Money" to $100 million.

That's not a typo, folks. The guy has two years as a starter and wants $100 million.

Despite it being just his second year as a starter, Wilson had a fantastic season for the American League Champion Rangers, going 16-7 with a 2.94 ERA in 34 starts while striking out 206 hitters in 223.1 innings over the course of the regular season. His performance this season surely makes him worthy of a $100 million contract, right?

Wrong.

Wilson was terri-bad (yes, that is terrible and bad) in the postseason for Texas, going 0-3 and posting an ERA over 6.00 and walking 19 batters in 28 innings. However it is not just his postseason track record that may not make him deserving of such a big payday, it is also his inexperience as a starter and the fact that he is already in his 30s. If I'm a team that has interest in the lefty, I am not giving him what he demands. Instead, I would reason him down to about $70-80 million, perhaps topping out at $82.5 million, the amounts similar pitchers Burnett and John Lackey received when they hit free agency.

Wilson is an ace of some sorts, but profiles as an above-average solid #2 or #3 starter for sure, and he'll be filling that role next year when he re-ups with the Rangers. The Rangers cannot afford to lose Wilson. While they are pipelined with young arms in the minor leagues and have one of the best farm systems in baseball, they do not have a true ace to head their rotation. Derek Holland, while he shined in the World Series, is not ready for that task, ditto that for Colby Lewis. Wilson has also publicly expressed interest in staying in Texas, but will consider his other options. I fully expect him to re-up in the Lone Star State.

Destination: Texas Rangers, five-years/$75 million

5. Yu Darvish

Position: Right Handed Starting Pitcher

Opening Day 2012 age: 25

Original Team: Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters (Nippon Professional Baseball, Japan)

The fifth-best free agent on the market isn't even a free agent yet, and hasn't even pitched in Major League Baseball. So how is Yu Darvish ranked fifth?

Darvish, 25, has been talked about for years as the next "big-thing" from Japan. Said to be better than Daisuke Matsuzaka, Darvish could be posted this offseason by the Fighters if he chooses, and at this point it's very likely, to want to play in America.

With Japanese players who are restricted free agents, American teams must bid for the rights to talk to the player. For example, in 2006, the Boston Red Sox paid a record-setting $51.1 million to speak to Matsuzaka and signed him to a six-year, $52 million contract. While a team can win the rights to talk to the player, that does not mean that they can agree upon a contract. In this case, the team receives the money it bid back and the player would spend another season in Japan.

Darvish is a different breed from other Japanese pitchers. At 6'5, 185 lbs, Darvish is the owner of a career 75-32 record with a 2.12 ERA over six-seasons with the Fighters. He has had an ERA under 2.00 the past four seasons. Darvish's other accolades include being named the Pacific League MVP twice (2007 & 2009) and winning the Eiji Sawamura Award, the equivalent of the Cy Young Award, in 2007. He also was a key component in Japan's 2009 World Baseball Classic win.

In the MLB, Darvish is projected to be an ace or, at worst, a #2 starter. Still considered a prospect, reports say that Darvish will surpass Matsuzaka's bidding record with upwards of at least $60-70 million, on top of receiving a contract that is predicted to be around $100 million. What's even better is that, if the hype is true, he'll be worth it.

Signing a Japanese player is always a risk. Over the course of the past decade we've seen successful Japanese pitchers such as Matsuzaka, the Yankees' Kei Igawa, the Braves' Kenshin Kawakami, and others squander in the major leagues. The MLB is a huge step from the NPB. The competition is tougher, the ballparks are different, and the American baseball is slightly bigger than the Japanese baseball. There's no reason to say Darvish won't excel in America, but there's also plenty of concern and proof that he could fail.

In my opinion, Darvish is a different pitcher from the other Japanese players who have migrated to America. He's got better command of his pitches, has truly dominated the NPB, and is young enough to mature to American talent. That's why Darvish, pending he is posted, is going to pitch next season with the New York Yankees.

The Yankees have been doing their homework on Darvish for years. Yankee Universe has buzzed about with the idea of Darvish joining a dream rotation as the second starter behind Sabathia and rookie-sensation Ivan Nova. However, after their most recent Japanese pitching failure in Igawa, could the Yankees be worried that Darvish could turn out the same way, only much more expensive?

“I think we’re more prepared today than we have been in the past in terms of how we evaluate players over there and what risks we’re willing to take,” Yankees' GM Brian Cashman said. “… We’ve gotten a lot more educated by our past experiences as you would expect. That doesn’t mean we’re going to shy away. That doesn’t mean we’re going to be more aggressive. That just means I think we’ve gotten more educated, that’s all, and that’s a good thing.”

So while there's no indicator that it is a definite that Darvish lands in New York, or that he comes to America, there is a definite consensus among the industry that Darvish is the real-deal. I expect the Yankees, who are said to not be heavily interested in Wilson or Roy Oswalt, to go hard for Darvish.

Destination: New York Yankees, five-years/$100 million

The 2011 World Series: Who Cares?

Can I get a show of hands for who would have picked the 2011 World Series matchup of the St. Louis Cardinals vs. the Texas Rangers?

Anyone at all? No one? Not so shocking because, quite honestly, who would have predicted that outcome at the start of the 2011 season?

Who cares about the World Series?

If you thought last year's World Series (San Francisco Giants vs. Texas Rangers in which SFG won) was dull and drew low ratings (8.4 rating was the lowest in history - tied with 2008 Tampa Bay Rays vs. Philadelphia Phillies), well, it's pretty much the same situation this year.

You guessed it: Two non-east coast teams, in not-so-big sports markets, competing yet again for baseball's title. Yes, the Cardinals have a great fan base in St. Louis and it's bigger than San Francisco's, but let's be honest: it's nothing compared to the fan bases of baseball's powerhouse east coast teams. As for the Rangers' fan base, it's just beginning to take shape. In two consecutive American League West division titles and American League Pennants later (2010 & 2011), it's grown, but still is no match for the eastern teams. For Fox broadcasting, this means another year of record low World Series ratings.

It's no secret that Fox's broadcasting of the playoffs and World Series is always higher when any of the big east coast teams are in it. Those teams have bigger fan bases, the names fans want to see, the history, so much more at stake, and most importantly...

The most amount of haters.

Believe it or not, but the New York Yankees are good for baseball. So are the Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, and (wait for it) New York Mets.

How can these teams, all four of which are in the top 10 in payroll, be good for the game? How can these teams that buy talent be considered vital to baseball? Aren't their tactics for success ruining the game for fans of smaller market teams?

While the average small-market fan hates these teams for all the reasons mentioned above, television broadcasting stations and Major League Baseball, on the other hand, have a different opinion.

They love them.

Why?

It's all about the money.

Consider the following statistics:

• 2010 World Series: Giants vs. Rangers - Ratings Average of 8.8
• 2009 World Series: Yankees vs. Phillies - Ratings Average of 11.7
• 2008 World Series: Phillies vs. Rays - Ratings Average of 8.4
• 2007 World Series: Red Sox vs. Rockies - Ratings Average of 10.7
• 2006 World Series: Cardinals vs. Tigers - Ratings Average of 10.1
• 2005 World Series: White Sox vs. Astros - Ratings Average of 11.2
• 2004 World Series: Red Sox vs. Cardinals - Ratings Average of 15.8
• 2003 World Series: Marlins vs. Yankees - Ratings Average of 12.8
• 2002 World Series: Angels vs. Giants - Ratings Average of 12.0
• 2001 World Series: Diamondbacks vs. Yankees - Ratings Average of 15.5
• 2000 World Series: Yankees vs. Mets - Ratings Average of 15.5

Of the Top Five World Series ratings of the past decade, four featured at least one east coast team. As well, one can note the significant drop in ratings after the 2007 World Series, in which the Red Sox played, to the 2008 World Series (before Philadelphia became a major powerhouse) which featured, at the time, two small market teams.

However, after Philadelphia won the 2008 World Series and found themselves in the 2009 World Series against baseball's most-watched money-making machine, the Yankees, ratings rose over 30%, only to fall back down 30% during the 2010 World Series.

So, why do television broadcasts and Major League Baseball do so well when east coast teams (specifically the Yankees, who appear 3/5 times in the top five) are in the World Series?

It's simple, really: People want to see the Yankees lose.

Baseball fans hate the Yankees. They hate their money, winning, and fans. Consider this: Last year, TBS broadcasted the ALCS between the Yankees and Rangers, averaging a 5.1 rating. This year, TBS broadcasted the NLCS between the Cardinals and Brewers, drawing a 2.9 rating. Drop-off much?

That's not to say baseball fans don't hate the Phillies or Red Sox as well. They have just as much money and winnings as the Yankees do. But it's a fact: people want to see the best teams in baseball in the World Series. That's why the Red Sox and Phillies was supposed to be a lock for this year's fall classic. Had the Red Sox not collapsed, and Philadelphia not underperformed, ratings for this year's series might be on the cusp of the top five.

I'm still going to watch the World Series. I love baseball, and always will. Will I care as much though, seeing as neither of baseball's best teams in their respective leagues are in it? Probably not. No one, I mean no one, could have predicted this World Series. I don't expect these ratings to be at an all-time-low however. St. Louis is a great baseball city and their fans will get those ratings up.

As John Sterling always says: "You can't predict baseball."

Cardinals in seven.

Theo Epstein: Savior?

Since their epic collapse at the end of the 2011 season, the Boston Red Sox have not had trouble staying out of the headlines.

From the disbelief of the team's collapse, Terry Francona's duties relieved as manager of the club, the allegations that Red Sox pitchers were drinking beer, eating fried chicken and playing video games in the clubhouse on days which they did not start, to questions of the leadership of veteran players in the clubhouse, the Red Sox have been the punch-line of everything gone wrong since the end of the season.

To make matters worse, the team has now lost its "Michelangelo," so to speak. The architect who constructed a team that was destined to have been the 2011 World Series Champions, is trading his office at Fenway Park for a new one at Wrigley Field.

Yesterday, (now former) Boston Red Sox General Manager Theo Epstein agreed to a five-year contract worth $20 million with the Chicago Cubs to become their new GM and President of Baseball Operations. The lovable losers have brought in Epstein with the intent of ending their dismal 103-year World Series Championship drought and ending the "Curse of the Billy Goat." Epstein, who constructed two World Championship Red Sox teams, including the 2004 team that broke the 86-year "Curse of the Bambino," is no stranger to breaking curses.

Theo Epstein: General Manager, President of Baseball Operations &... Savior?

That has a nice ring to it.

The news of Epstein signing with the Cubs is only another spiral in the downfall that the Red Sox have endured this postseason.

Just a few weeks ago, there was speculation at the end of the season after the collapse that perhaps Epstein would bolt Beantown to go to Chicago to fill their GM vacancy. At the time, Epstein was still under contract with the Red Sox for one more year, his contract expiring after the 2012 season. While many thought it was unlikely that Epstein would leave a guaranteed 90+ win team with the capabilities of contending for a championship every year, as well as an ownership group that had pockets deep enough to contend with the Steinbrenner's in New York, growing belief in the baseball industry was that Epstein had "had enough" in Boston after nine years, and that he was looking for a new challenge.

In 2002, the Red Sox appointed Epstein, just 28 years old at the time, general manager of the club, making him the third youngest GM in baseball history and the youngest at that time. Since Epstein took over in November 2002, the Red Sox:

• Have won 90 or more games seven out of Epstein's nine seasons
• Won the 2007 American League East Division
• Won the American League Wild Card five times
• Appeared in the playoffs six times of the nine seasons
• Won two World Series Championships in 2004 & 2007
• Have a payroll of $160,257,476 - the third largest in MLB

To say the least, Theo Epstein has turned the Boston Red Sox into a major league Power-House.

Good luck to the guy who steps in to fill Epstein's shoes.

However, while Theo might be "the guy" for the Cubs who delivers them a championship, that isn't to say that Epstein isn't without flaws.

The allegations that pitchers Jon Lester, Josh Beckett and John Lackey drank beer, ate fried chicken and played video games in the clubhouse on days on which they did not pitch led many to believe that perhaps Epstein and now ex-manager Terry Francona did not have the respect of their players. Francona, as the manager, is in charge of the ball club from a team perspective, and does not have the power that Epstein does. It's simply unacceptable that Epstein would allow his players to do such things in the clubhouse, especially with the power he had as a general manager. It's unprofessional and embarrassing.

Despite these allegations, Epstein has also been known to fall in love with signing big-name free agents to long-term, expensive deals, many of which have not been worth the money printed on their paycheck. The most recent examples include left fielder Carl Crawford, pitcher John Lackey, and outfielder J.D. Drew - all of which have mediocre, if not less, during their tenure in Boston.

So what does the future look like in Boston? Right now, it does not look too promising. Yes, the team still has its core players intact with the likes of Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Adrian Gonzalez, but after a season in which the team released their eight-year veteran manager, lost perhaps the best general manager in baseball, had controversy in the front-office, drama in the clubhouse, and disappointment on the field, the future looks cloudy. Ben Cherington, the assistant to the general manager, is the favorite to be Boston's new GM. He'll have a big offseason ahead of him, not just with the likes of Jonathan Papelbon and David Ortiz scheduled to hit free agency, but to rebuild the organization.

On the bright side, how does the future look in Chicago, Cubs fans?

Being a life-long Yankees fan, I've never experienced "losing." However, since I arrived at Indiana University, I've noticed the extreme amount of Cubs fans on campus. When the MLB Playoffs started, Cubs fans could not care more. The Cubs had just wrapped up a season in which they finished in 5th place in the NL Central (in part to the Houston Astros for being horrible), at 71-91. They were prepared to lose All-Star third baseman Aramis Ramirez via free agency, and the dreams of capturing a championship in 2012 seemed bleak. What seemed more than likely was that the Cubs' drought would continue.

Now, with news that come November the Houston Astros will be changing leagues and moving to the AL West, the Cubs have a very real possibility of finishing in last place in the central. However, those thoughts have since been put to rest.

Enter, Theo Epstein: curse-breaker.

That's right: Theo Epstein is going to break the curse of the Billy Goat.

I said it when former Cubs GM Jim Hendry was fired, while Epstein was still with the Red Sox and before speculation even began to swirl. Epstein and Chicago would be a perfect fit.

Imagine if Epstein, who already broke the 86-year "Curse of the Bambino" could break the 103-year "Curse of the Billy Goat?" That's over 180 years of curses that Epstein would have solved. Could he be a mortal baseball god? Perhaps that's getting too ahead of things, but if Epstein were to break the Cubs' curse, he would be a Hall of Fame GM.

That being said, no, the Chicago Cubs will not win a championship next year, or perhaps the year after. Epstein's first few years with the Cubs will be rebuilding years. Do not expect him to sign Albert Pujols or Prince Fielder or any other big name this year via free agency. Do not expect Epstein to handicap the Cubs with big-contracts.

Instead, expect Epstein to rebuild the entire Cubs organization from the ground up. Epstein will re-stock the entire Cubs farm system, which ranked 16th overall last season in Baseball America's farm system rankings, with pure baseball talent. He'll build a team around shortstop and face-of-the-franchise Starlin Castro, second baseman Darwin Barney, and pitcher Matt Garza.

While we can speculate all day about who will be playing for the Cubs next season, right now Epstein's first task is hiring a new manager. It's more than likely that manager Mike Quade will not return next season, and rumors circulated that whoever the new Cubs' GM was, they would bring someone from outside the organization. Could a Francona-Epstein reunion be re-ignited in Chi-Town? That would instill a winning mentality for sure, and would draw players to the friendly confines of legendary Wrigley Field.

Now here's my bold prediction: Within three years of Epstein's tenure as Cubs' GM, the Cubs will return winning form and will win a championship under Epstein. I stand behind that statement 100%.

In Theo Epstein, the Chicago Cubs are getting a General Manager who has been exposed the beauties and ugliness of baseball in the American League East. They are getting a GM who has never been afraid to spend money to get resources that his club needs. Most importantly, the Cubs are hiring a GM who knows the one major concept of baseball: winning.

Marty McFly (played by Michael J. Fox) predicted in Back to the Future II that the Cubs would win the World Series in 2015, and you have to admit, with Epstein at the helm of baseball operations, it's looking more and more likely. Then again, maybe that's just a coincidence.

Get ready Cubs fans, the future in Chicago starts now.