Phillies to gauge Theo Epstein’s interest despite break wish

The Phillies will gauge interest from Theo Epstein to join their front office.

Three-time World Series champion front office executive Theo Epstein suddenly becoming available was like the holiday season coming a month early for the Philadelphia Phillies organization.

As NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Jim Salisbury puts it in Wednesday’s “SportsNet Central,” it is as if future Hall of Fame center fielder Mike Trout suddenly became available — at the same time the Phillies are looking for a player at the position who “plays great defense, gets on base, drives in runs,” and “hits for power.”

With Matt Klentak no longer the general manager, and team president Andy MacPhail all but having one foot out the door already, amid his expiring contract, there is surely room for Epstein’s services within the Phillies front office if the stars align.

As of now, Epstein walked away from the final year of his deal with the Chicago Cubs to take next season off, enjoying his first summer in three decades away from a Major League stadium. But, as Philadelphia fans recently saw with Daryl Morey expressing a similar desire before ultimately joining the 76ers, nothing is set in stone for Epstein being away from MLB in 2021 just yet.

Salisbury reports that Epstein’s wish will not prevent the Phillies from reaching out to him to see if he would be interested in “jumping right back in as their leader of baseball operations.”

“The Phils are looking someone who can build a team to get back to the postseason the first time since 2011 and have sustained success,” Salisbury continues.

Epstein notably ended an 86-year championship drought in Boston, as well as an 108-year drought in Chicago. The Phillies are now on a much-smaller 12-year drought of their own, but Philadelphia fans  surely would not mind it end sooner than later.