The Chicago Cubs reportedly asked for permission to speak with the Boston Red Sox GM Theo Epstein earlier this week, but the Sox were mum on whether they had granted it.  Rumors over the weekend indicate that they may have done just that.

According to an eye witness account reported in the Boston Herald, Theo was was in Chicago on Saturday purportedly to interview with the Cubs about their vacant GM position.

During an interview on WEEI last week, Sox owner John Henry made an odd statement that seemed to indicate that managerial and front office positions with the Sox have a certain shelf life because of the inherent pressures that come with being associated with the Red Sox in Boston.  

"I think there’s a certain shelf life in these jobs," Henry said. "You can only be the mangaer, the general manager, if you’re sane, for a certain amount of time. It’s a pressure-cooker here. It’s a long season. It’s 365 days. Theo is not going to b the general manager forever."