Cubs Fire VP Of Player Personnel Oneri Fleita

(WSCR) In a bit of a surprising move, the Cubs dismissed Vice President of Player Personnel Oneri Fleita on Wednesday.

Fleita was given a four-year extension in September - one month before Theo Epstein took over as President of Baseball Operations.

"All of us with the Cubs owe Oneri a debt of gratitude for his tremendous service to the organization over many years," Epstein said in a statement released by the Cubs. "Oneri has impacted countless people here in a positive way, and we wish him well as he continues his career elsewhere."

Fleita had been with the organization since 1995 when he oversaw extended spring training and was manager of Single-A Williamsport.  He later served as an area scout, crosschecker and coordinator of Latin American operations before being tabbed to oversee the organization's minor league system and international scouting operations in 2001.  He was named Vice President, Player Personnel on October 16, 2007.