Levine: Cubs' McLeod To Interview For Padres' GM Post
By Bruce Levine--
(CBS) -- The Chicago Cubs front office is bracing for the possibility of losing one of their most important cogs.
Sources confirm that vice president of scouting and player development Jason McLeod will interview next week for the vacant general manager position with the San Diego Padres.
McLeod was assistant general manager with the Padres in 2010-11 under Jed Hoyer, who served as San Diego's general manager before taking the same position with the Cubs in November of 2011. McLeod had joined Hoyer from Boston where both executives worked in the front office of Theo Epstein during two World Championship seasons.
McLeod pitched in the minor leagues before taking an internship with the Padres in 1992. He became friends with Epstein, who also began his baseball career working for San Diego in the mid -1990's. After Epstein went to Boston, McLeod, become head of amateur scouting in Boston and was instrumental in the signing and development of many of the top young players who contributed to the 2007 Red Sox World Series club.
Epstein moved quickly in 2011 after being hired to run the Cubs, he hired Hoyer and McLeod to help him resurrect the Cub system.
"Jason is a great evaluator and has strong leadership skills," said Epstein. "He has been in pro ball for twenty years and is ready to run a team. It would be a significant loss for us, but we will be very proud of him when he gets his opportunity to put his imprint on an organization."
McLeod was married to former Padre owner John Moore's daughter. Born in Hawaii, McLeod was raised in the San Diego area where he starred in multiple sports. McLeod would not comment about the Padre GM opening when contacted.
Josh Byrnes was relieved of his duties as Padre's general manager a week ago. Fox Sports Ken Rosenthal was first to report that McLeod would get an interview for the vacant San Diego job.
