Rick Hahn's GM options no longer include Cubs
When Robin Ventura was formally introduced as the White Sox' new manager Tuesday morning at U.S. Cellular Field, assistant general manager Rick Hahn was sitting in the front row.
It doesn't look like Hahn is going to be walking away from the South Side any time soon — at least not to the Cubs.
Initially thought to be a leading candidate to replace Jim Hendry as the Cubs' new GM, Hahn is apparently out of the picture now that Theo Epstein has reportedly agreed to a five-year contract.
Epstein might be getting a bigger title with the Cubs, but he is expected to have full authority when it comes to assembling the 25-man roster.
Maybe Epstein approaches Hahn about the assistant GM job, but why make a lateral move?
There are three other general manager vacancies in baseball — the Red Sox, Angels and Orioles.
Hahn's name is reportedly on the Angels' shortlist. Los Angeles is looking for a new GM after Tony Reagins stepped down under pressure two weeks ago.
The Orioles are looking for a replacement for Andy MacPhail, but Hahn's name was not on a published list of six likely successors.
Could Hahn replace Epstein in Boston?
While he is a Chicago native and rooted for the Cubs as a kid, Hahn does have ties to Boston — a law degree from Harvard.
Ben Cherington, Epstein's assistant with the Red Sox, appears to be the favorite to be Boston's next GM.
Hahn has an impressive resume, but no actual GM experience.
He has been Kenny Williams' assistant with the White Sox for 11 seasons and is well known for his contract negotiating skills and analytical approach to the game.
The New Trier High School graduate attended the University of Michigan and added an MBA from Northwestern after his Harvard days.
Hahn spent two years with the Steinberg, Moorad & Dunn sports agency in Newport Beach, Calif., before joining the White Sox.
Last year, Baseball America ranked Hahn as baseball's No. 1 GM prospect, and Sports Illustrated and Baseball Prospectus have also touted him as a top candidate.
Last year, Hahn interviewed for the Mets' general manager's job but lost out to Sandy Alderson.
He also has been linked to past GM openings in St. Louis, Pittsburgh and Seattle.