Olney Dishes On Cubs GM Search, Theo Epstein, Wandy Rodriguez

Despite a century of not winning the World Series, an old stadium, and an empty cupboard of prospects, the Chicago Cubs remains a premier landing spot for the biggest-name GM candidates -- and the Cubbies have the ability to land one. According to Buster Olney, One name being tossed around lately is the Boston Red Sox GM, Theo Epstein (the 37 year-old Twice-World-Series-Winning, Curse-Breaking Yale grad, previously known at The Youngest GM ever).

The undercurrent here is that regardless of Epstein's commitment to (and childhood dreams to run) the Red Sox, perhaps he could break another historic stretch of no World Series' wins on another team. Olney reports that Epstein's friends have said he believes (or did believe in the past) the Cubs job might be one of "extraordinary growth potential."

Olney further concludes, along with most other sane baseball intelligentsia, that Theo would never move. Despite all that, the Cubs will still take a shot, and left wanting, still have a historic team with a national fanbase -- and the money to turn it into a perennially-contending club like the Yankees or Red Sox.

Other MLB News, Notes, and Rumors:

• The Wandy Rodriguez / Colorado Rockies deal could still fall through because there's no momentum to get it done, but both the Astros and Rockies have incentive to get it done -- the Astros need to cut salary and the Rockies are looking to rebuild their post-Ubaldo rotation. The teams have until Thursday afternoon to complete the transaction.

• The Toronto / Arizona trade started with John McDonald (which I'm certain will disappoint Jays' fans even further), and expanded from there. Olney notes that Kelly Johnson gets a 6-week interview for the Jays' 2B job.
• The NL Central division race is all but over, and the Cardinals have a hard road ahead if they hope to get back to the top.