The two teams finally announced a deal Tuesday that settles a four-month dispute over what Boston should get as compensation when Epstein left for Chicago. The Cubs sent right-handed reliever Chris Carpenter and a player to be named later to
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
GLENDALE, Ariz. — A casually dressed Don Mattingly leaned back in his clubhouse office chair admittedly much more relaxed the second time around as Dodgers manager.
Nobody will question that his first move of spring training is spot on: Mattingly wasted no time Tuesday choosing reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw as the opening day starter for Los Angeles come April 5 at San Diego — even if it’s a no-brainer to slot the 21-game winner at No. 1 in the rotation. Mattingly spoke with his left-handed ace Monday at Camelback Ranch, where the team’s pitchers and catchers formally reported Tuesday ahead of Wednesday’s first workout.
The way the Dodgers’ schedule shapes up with an off day before the home opener, Kershaw also could wind up taking the ball for the first game at Dodger Stadium.
“Whatever happens is great,” said Kershaw, fresh off a whirlwind winter of awards dinners. “It’s nice to have something to look forward to, just have a goal in mind that you’re getting ready for. Whatever day that is, first day, second day, fifth day, it doesn’t matter. It’ll be fun.”
Mattingly and the Dodgers are bracing for another chaotic season considering the sale of the team is expected to go through by April 30 and nobody knows exactly what will happen with new leadership at the top. The 23-year-old Kershaw, for one, is rooting for former skipper Joe Torre’s group because he’s a familiar face.
“Once again that’s out of our control,” Kershaw said. “Obviously excited to get it over with, but at the same time the way I figure it we’re going to have to talk about it now, talk about it April 1 and talk about it April 30, and from there on hopefully we don’t have to talk about it.”
CUBS SEND PITCHER TO RED SOX FOR EPSTEIN
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Theo Epstein’s worth to the Boston Red Sox was easy to gauge. A quick glance at the two World Series trophies at Fenway Park settles that.
Determining his value to the Chicago Cubs, another title-starved franchise desperately hoping to be saved by the Boy Wonder, turned out to be a much more complicated issue. Turns out the architect of a two-time champion who restored pride to a franchise that had long been known for choking in the biggest moments was worth a 26-year-old reliever and a player to be named later.
The two teams finally announced a deal Tuesday that settles a four-month dispute over what Boston should get as compensation when Epstein left for Chicago. The Cubs sent right-handed reliever Chris Carpenter and a player to be named later to the Red Sox for a player to be named later — and Epstein.
