Ricketts Mum On Epstein Rumors

(CBS) With rumors circulating that the Cubs may ask the Red Sox for permission to interview general manager Theo Epstein for the vacancy in the Cubs' organization, chairman Tom Ricketts kept his cards close to his chest, as usual.

"I don't know; there's a lot of good candidates out there," Ricketts told Fox Business Network when asked if Epstein was leaving for the Cubs. "We're going to talk to a handful of them and I'm sure we'll come up with the right fit for the team. Ultimately it will be the decision of myself and my family. Obviously we didn't get it done on the field this year. It was a disappointing season for everyone, but, we're going to get some new leadership."

Epstein's name has been rumored in the Cubs' GM search since the dismissal of Jim Hendry in early August. Those rumors grew louder after the Red Sox missed the playoffs, and manager Terry Francona was let go.

Ricketts said though he was disappointed in his team's finished, he's confident the Cubs will move forward stronger.

"Going to both this season and last season, we thought we had a team that would perform better than it turned out to perform," he said. "You can't go back in time, you look forward, we have a lot of good things to build on and we'll get there."