Only a matter of time before rejoining Sox?
The Sox refused to say how long the current co-GM arrangement will last ("We're not talking about duration of contract," Larry Lucchino said), which should not be taken as a referendum on the skills of the new GM tandem, but a concession that the deck will be reshuffled again as soon as Theo Epstein comes back aboard. Evidently, the title will be different, Epstein preferring to be known as consultant or adviser or consigliere, but it defies credulity to believe he will come back with any less authority than he had when he left Oct. 31. Gerry Callahan writes in Tuesday's Herald, "One source close to the Sox front office said yesterday that Henry offered Epstein the position of 'president of baseball operations' 2 1/2 weeks ago." In some ways, Epstein never has left: Both Cherington and Hoyer freely admitted yesterday they have been in regular contact with Epstein, who hasn't been afraid to weigh in on the personnel moves the club has made."You're getting ahead of yourself," Lucchino said when asked how Epstein would fit in. "I think it's premature to discuss exactly what role, if any, Theo would have. So all we're saying is we'll keep the light on at the window, the door ajar. If there's a fit, we'd love to see it happen." The olive branch has been extended. The light is burning in the window. There is no deadline, Lucchino said, for Epstein to offer his answer to the invitation. But it looks as though he already has.