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CHICAGO -- Theo Epstein is proud of the talent in the Chicago Cubs minor league system. The president of baseball operations thinks Dale Sveum is going to be a successful manager one day. He just doesnt think Sveum is the right guy to help all those prospects become successful major leaguers. The Cubs fired Sveum on Monday after finishing last in the NL Central for the first time in seven years, ending a two-year run that produced more losses than any other stretch in the teams cursed history. "Its absolutely imperative that we create the best environment possible for young players to come up here, continue to learn, continue to develop and thrive at the big league level and win, ultimately," Epstein said during an afternoon news conference. "And thats not an easy thing to do. "A big part of the reason why were here today is because we took a good hard look at that and we decided that we needed to try to get it right before they come up." Sveum was among Epsteins first hires after the executive came over from the Boston Red Sox in 2011. He had little experience as a manager when he agreed to take the job, and he knew the Cubs were at the very beginning of a top-to-bottom overhaul that they hoped would transform them into perennial contenders. He just thought he would get more time to make it work. "You come in and you get a job like this and you want to see it through and so youre very disappointed you didnt get to really get anything started," Sveum said in a parking lot outside Wrigley Field. Sveum, who had one year left on his contract, said he thought he was fine before Epstein said during Chicagos trip to Milwaukee in mid-September that the manager was being evaluated. "That was about when things got started," Sveum said. While praising Sveums time in Chicago and his growth with the Cubs, Epstein disputed the notion that the manager was blindsided by the move. He said Sveum had been aware of some concern in the front office for some time. "We met shortly after the All-Star break, a long meeting, a long, difficult, brutally honest meeting where we explained the areas where we felt like we needed to see improvement," Epstein said. "We told him, We are meeting with you because for the first time there are some concerns about whether youre the long-term guy and you deserve to hear that feedback from us and you deserve the second half of the season to work on those areas." Epstein said he also talked to Sveum before he made his comments in Milwaukee and let him know there were still discussions going on in the front office about whether he would be retained for next season. In the end, they decided to make a change. Chicago went 61-101 in Sveums first season, and then stumbled down the stretch in 2013 while some of its best players were traded away for prospects. The Cubs dropped 41 of their final 59 games, including six of their final seven, finishing with a 66-96 record. But it looks as if wins and losses were not a major factor in Sveums dismissal. Shortstop Starlin Castro and first baseman Anthony Rizzo, two key young players who have long-term contracts, each took a step back this year. Pitcher Jeff Samardzija also had an uneven season. Talented prospects such as Javier Baez, Jorge Soler, Albert Almora and Kris Bryant are on the way, and Epstein made it clear that providing the right atmosphere for those players was a key issue when it came to Sveums dismissal. "Not in all cases, there were some good results this year, some young players emerged, but there were other young players who didnt continue to develop this year," Epstein said. "Thats a collective issue, but its my responsibility to get it right." Sveum, who played a role in the development of sluggers Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun when he was a coach in Milwaukee, said he was looking forward to managing those prospects when they got to the majors. "Being here when all these players got here, thats the biggest disappointment, if anything," said Sveum, who isnt sure what hes going to do next season. "You didnt get a chance to see it through." Epstein said previous managing experience will be a point of emphasis in their search, and he plans to complete the process before the general manager meetings in early November. Sveums dismissal likely will ramp up speculation surrounding the status of Yankees manager Joe Girardi, a Peoria, Ill., native who played college ball at nearby Northwestern. The former Cubs catcher just completed the final season of his contract with New York, but he downplayed his connection to Chicago over the weekend. "Theres not as much there as there used to be," Girardi said. With the Cubs focusing on the future and dealing anyone with trade value in an effort to build the farm system, losses have been piling up at a staggering rate even for a franchise that last won a championship in 1908. The Cubs have dropped at least 91 games in three straight seasons for the first time, and they appear to be at least a year or two from making any jump in the win column. Despite those problems and Sveums short stint in charge, Epstein doesnt think he will have to sell the manager opening to any potential candidate. "We know exactly what were looking for and I think were going to find it," he said. Andre Roberts Womens Jersey . Hollis-Jefferson went 5-for-6 from the field and added six rebounds, while Stanley Jefferson contributed 14 points for the Wildcats, who used their trademark tough defense to dominate the games final 24 minutes and advance to Tuesdays winners bracket matchup with Kansas State. Thurman Thomas Womens Jersey . Correia pitched six innings of one-run ball, Eduardo Escobar homered, and the Minnesota Twins pulled away late to beat the Colorado Rockies 9-3 on Saturday. http://www.shoptheofficialbills.com/Elite-Cody-Ford-Bills-Jersey/ . Listen to the Rangers vs. Kings live on TSN Radio starting at 7pm et/4pm pt. You can also stream the post-game press conferences live on TSN. Zay Jones Jersey . Johnny Manziel, college footballs most entertaining player with the reputation for pulling off magical plays, was selected with the No. O. J. Simpson Bills Jersey . The Missouri Tigers Defensive End and SEC Defensive player of the year is eligible for the upcoming NFL draft in May.EDMONTON - The Edmonton Oilers made a couple of roster moves Monday, claiming winger Matt Fraser off waivers from the Bruins and acquiring centre Derek Roy in a trade with the Nashville Predators.Roy has one goal and nine assists in 26 games this season.In 692 career games, the 31-year-old veteran from Ottawa has 178 goals and 324 assists.Edmonton adds some size and skill with Fraser, a six-foot-one, 204-pound winger from Red Deer, Alta.ddddddddddddThe 24-year-old had three goals in 24 games for Boston this season.The Oilers placed forward Steve Pinizzotto on waivers while claiming Fraser and traded forward Mark Arcobello to Nashville.Fraser is on a US$625,000, one-year contract while Roy is on a one-year, $1-million deal. ' ' '