(670 The Score) The Cubs are set to host what the organization is calling its second Opening Day on Friday when it opens Wrigley Field to 100% capacity for the first time since 2019.
It marks the return to a feeling of normalcy at the Friendly Confines. But despite fans returning at full capacity, the Cubs are still set to operate at a financial loss for a second straight season, team president of business operations Crane Kenney told the Mully & Haugh Show on Monday morning. The Cubs lost $140 million without fans in the stands during the pandemic in 2020, he said.
Still, the Cubs believe they won't be limited financially in making key decisions prior to the trade deadline on July 30, Kenney said.
"The currency everybody's looking for at the deadline is talent," Kenney said. "A lot of it will be what happens on the field, the other part will be what talent in our system are we prepared to part with and the third part will be economics.
"The economics will probably not be a limiter. I think what happens between now and the end of the season at 100% (capacity) is we reduce our losses this year. So, we'll still be in a loss position in terms of overall economics for this season, but certainly those losses will be a lot less than we originally had thought.
"I don't think cash will be the issue. There are so many other factors that go into it. We'll see what happens between now and the middle of July."
The Cubs (33-26) are tied for first place in the NL Central entering Monday, when they open a three-game series with the Padres in San Diego. The Cubs' strong play has come after they traded ace Yu Darvish to the Padres last December in what was widely viewed as a salary dump.
Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer told Inside The Clubhouse on 670 The Score on Saturday morning the team is hopeful it will be in position to be a buyer at the trade deadline.
"Certainly, it's our hope to be on the good side of those transactions where we're adding and really pushing to win this year," Hoyer said. "That's what everybody, from ownership on down, really wants."