As MLB was preparing to resume play following the All-Star break, beat writers were discussing the blockbuster deal that sent Jose Quintana to the Chicago Cubs on Thursday - and president of baseball operations Theo Epstein uncorked a self-aware response only he could pull off.

"Well, there were no rumors about us and Quintana. So take that for what it's worth," Epstein told Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic on Friday before adding "ask wetbutt."

Epstein is alluding to the fact that the Quintana trade was first scooped by Reddit user wetbutt23 - a pretty remarkable exclusive for someone without media credentials.

Since Epstein and manager Joe Maddon have joined the Cubs, arguably no staff has been more self-aware. The Cubs skipper even created the rally cry "Try Not To Suck" during last year's eventual storybook season.

Perhaps "ask wetbutt" is the rally cry this Cubs team needs after an underwhelming first half of the year.