Theo Epstein expects to be with Cubs in 2021 but is preparing for future transition

Cubs president Theo Epstein’s status with the team has been a topic of discussion since a report surfaced last weekend saying he would meet with chairman Tom Ricketts to discuss his future.

Epstein addressed the report and his plans to sit down with Ricketts to discuss the future of the franchise at his season-ending news conference Monday.

‘‘Every season, we get together as leadership — baseball-ops leadership and ownership — and we talk about the state of the club, the state of the organization, what lies ahead in the future, how to improve going forward and how to position ourselves for long-term success,’’ Epstein said.

‘‘As part of that process, I usually meet one-on-one with Tom, as well. So those are meetings that we’re looking forward to having. We’re hoping to do it quietly, behind the scenes. We’ll still do it as quietly as possible.’’

Epstein made it clear that his focus is on getting the Cubs ready for next season and that he and Ricketts expect things to remain ‘‘status quo’’ going into 2021.

‘‘My expectation is that I’ll be here,’’ Epstein said. ‘‘My expectation also is that I’m going to do whatever is best for the Cubs every day, and that means being thoughtful about a transition — whenever that may come.’’

Epstein, 46, always has held the belief that change after 10 years is necessary and didn’t shy away from those feelings Monday. He is entering the final year of the second five-year deal he signed in 2016.

‘‘I’ve been transparent about my feeling that, after a certain period of time, there can be real benefit for both an individual leader and for the organization for change, and I’ve not backed away from that,’’ he said. ‘‘I think I mentioned it the first day I was a Cub and again when I signed my second contract, so I’m not gonna run away from those feelings.

‘‘But I also am as invested in the Chicago Cubs today as I was at any point in the last nine years, and I woke up this morning thinking about how we can improve for next year and position ourselves for long-term success.’’

If the Cubs have to look for a new president at the end of next season, the most likely candidate would be general manager Jed Hoyer. Hoyer has been one of the principal cogs in the Cubs’ baseball-operations department since 2011 and would make for the smoothest transition.

‘‘Jed is someone who’s been a huge part of the success here at the Cubs and at the Red Sox before that,’’ Epstein said. ‘‘He’s also someone who’s already been a successful No. 1 in baseball operations when he served as the general manager of the Padres.

‘‘I recognize those qualities and everything that he brings to the table and how much he’s done for this organization, and Tom and the Ricketts family do, too. So that’s obviously a factor when you start to set out and discuss what a transition might look like.

‘‘But have there been any decisions made or is there any firm succession plan or transition plan in place? No. Those are exactly the things that we have to talk about moving forward.’’