Compensation Finally Settled For Epstein

It has been months since the Chicago Cubs acquired President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein from the Boston Red Sox.  With this deal having been made from both clubs just after the end of last season, it was announced at the outset that compensation would be sent back to the Red Sox in terms of a prospect.  Finally, ESPN.com is reporting the issue is resolved and it was done with the assistance of Commissioner Bud Selig.  Selig was asked to step in as a mediator to compensate the Boston Red Sox.  And finally, the longest drawn out trade of the off season in the MLB is settled - for the most part.  The Cubs have agreed to trade Chris Carpenter, a young right-handed arm. The 26 year old, played a little bit of time with the big club last year during June, and this will be the year he is ready to make the leap towards a full-time bullpen spot for a big league club.  So this move will help to solidify and add depth to their bullpen and maybe play AAA ball to start and move in and out of the big league club....this move is fine - the problem becomes ESPN reports that the Cubs and Red Sox will exchange ANOTHER player to be named later.

This deal was already the longest and most drawn out deal of the Winter, why can't two teams just settle this and move on with their decisions of who they've acquired.  Normally, when a trade is made with a player to be named later it is often dependent upon the success of the teams involved in the trade for the quality of player that will be traded.  Should this be the case, I see this as being inappropriate.  The clubs success or failure should not be directly tied to the President of Baseball Operations.  He is able to make moves for the club, however it is the players on the field who dictate the outcome and can hinge upon them rather than the front office staff.