Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein asked his baseball operations staff to stay away from Fenway Park yesterday and enjoy a long-overdue day off. That doesn't mean, however, that those above him have to adhere to the request. In fact, Sox ownership is expected to begin earnest negotiations with Epstein as early as today on a new contract that will keep the Brookline native in charge of uniformed personnel decisions. Epstein, who was the youngest GM in baseball history when he was named to the position on Nov. 25, 2002, has constructed rosters that qualified for postseason play in three consecutive seasons for the first time in franchise history. Principal owner John W. Henry indicated over the weekend that he expected to have Epstein signed to a new contract very soon. ``I don't foresee any problems, but I don't want to comment further at this time,'' Henry wrote in an e-mail.