"The long, national nightmare known as the Theo Epstein compensation talks finally might be coming to an end.

According to a report in the Chicago Sun-Times, the Red Sox and Cubs have asked commissioner Bud Selig to step in and settle the issue, since the two sides have been unable to reach an agreement during the past 21/2 months.

At issue is what the Red Sox will receive for freeing Epstein from the final year of his contract so he could leave to become president of baseball operations with the Cubs."