CHICAGO (UPI) -- Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein, the architect of the franchise's World Series-winning team in 2016, has stepped down after nine seasons with the club.
The team announced Tuesday that Epstein is walking away from the organization, and general manager Jed Hoyer is being promoted to take his place as president of baseball ops.
"Theo and I have been communicating about this possible move for a couple of years, and we have been working together toward a transition that makes sense for the Cubs and for him," Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts said in a statement. "The timing is right for a number of reasons, and most importantly we are both thrilled that Jed is the person succeeding Theo.
"We have had our most successful period in over a century under Theo's leadership, and we are grateful for everything he has given to this organization and this city. Jed has been a big part of that success, too, and offers a combination of continuity and a fresh perspective that will serve us well as we look forward to another period of sustained success."
After this past season, Epstein said he expected to remain with the Cubs for at least one more year, with his contract set to expire in 2021. He has said repeatedly that he believes executives have about a ten-year shelf life in a job, and next season would have marked a decade since he left the Boston Red Sox to join the Cubs.
Epstein