By Evan Brunell

The Cubs are considering stealing away GM Jed Hoyer from the Padres to work under Theo Epstein, SI.com is reporting.

Epstein is expected to become the new Cubs GM before long provided his current employer, the Red Sox, can agree on a compensation package to allow Epstein to depart to Chicago. Part of the issue is which of Epstein's assistants in Boston, if any, he would be allowed to take with him to Chicago. Given that Boston is playing hardball, it's possible Epstein may not be able to take anyone.

Hoyer (pictured) worked under Epstein for years in Boston and was co-GM in 2005 along with Ben Cherington, expected to be Epstein's replacement, for a month when Epstein briefly resigned as GM of the Red Sox. There's no indication that Hoyer would be interested in leaving his GM post for a lesser spot, but the fact that he's being considered is fascinating.

While there's a slim possibility of this happening, it's difficult to see. Hoyer is signed through 2013 and the move to Chicago would either be lateral or a step down from his current role. If Epstein joins the Cubs as president, as expected given moving from Boston GM to Chicago GM would be a lateral move, that does leave a GM spot open in Chicago, but why would San Diego let Hoyer out of his contract for a lateral move? Organizations can poach people from other clubs for promotions, but Hoyer departing for a demotion or lateral move would be unprecedented. You would think that if this came to pass, the Padres would ask compensation to allow Hoyer to depart.

If he did leave to Chicago, senior vice president of baseball operations Josh Byrnes -- also with connections to working under Epstein in Boston -- would take over as Padres GM. If Hoyer stays, Epstein is expected to target Byrnes as well as Padres assistant GM Jason McLeod, also formerly of the Red Sox.

Catch up on all the Theo Epstein to Cubs madness here.

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Photo: MLB.com.