Cubs' Epstein to step down, Jed Hoyer to take over

Theo Epstein will be stepping down from his role as the president of baseball operations for the Chicago Cubs effective Nov. 20, the team announced Tuesday.

Jed Hoyer, who currently serves as the club's executive vice president and general manager, will take over.

"For the rest of my life, I will cherish having been part of the great Chicago Cubs organization during this historic period," Epstein said in a statement.

The 46-year-old alluded to taking a break from baseball in his own statement.

"Next summer will be my first in 30 years not clocking into work every day at a major league ballpark," Epstein wrote in a letter addressed to "Cubs friends," obtained by Jon Greenberg of The Athletic. "I do plan on having a third chapter leading a baseball organization someday, though I do not expect it to be next year."

Epstein was entering the final year of his contract with the Cubs, who are poised for a potentially formative offseason; Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Javier Baez, and Kyle Schwarber are all heading into their last years of team control.

"Now is the right time (to leave) rather than a year from now," Epstein said. "The organization faces a number of decisions this winter that carry long-term consequences; those types of decisions are best made by someone who will be here for a long period. ... Jed has earned this opportunity."

Epstein first joined the Cubs following the 2011 campaign. After a rebuilding period, he helped the club to a World Series title, breaking their 108-year championship drought in 2016.