Boston, MA

Boston Red Sox principal owner John Henry admitted he felt bad to see general manager Theo Epstein leaving his post despite his team's epic collapse this season, a major sports media outlet reported Saturday.

In an interview on 98.5 The Sports Hub, Henry said he wanted Epstein to stay in Boston though it apparently won't happen.

"I would love to have Theo back," Henry said on the radio show Saturday. "I would have loved for Theo to have been our general manager for the next 20 years. That was my hope. That would have been my hope. But you don't always get what you want."

Henry also confirmed his former general manager is negotiating with the Chicago Cubs, but the Red Sox look to prevent him from taking his top assistants.

According to a reliable source, Epstein could strike a deal worth around $15 million to $20 million over five years with the Cubs.

Henry added he feels sad to see Epstein and Terry Francona - the cornerstones behind the Red Sox two World Series title in the last decade - leaving but insisted the organization must move on.

"Tom and my role is to have the best management possible," Henry told on the program. "We've had great management. Tito (manager Terry Francona) and Theo have brought two World Series, arguably the best general manager in my mind and the best manager. It's just a really a sad day to see them both leave."

The Cubs and Red Sox have only seven days left to settle their issues and strike a deal according to a reliable league source.

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