CHICAGO (670 The Score) -- The biggest questions surrounding the Cubs’ future will be “100%” left to president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer, chairman Tom Ricketts said Friday.
Ricketts made the comments in the context of what lies ahead for a trio of stars in infielder/outfielder Kris Bryant, shortstop Javier Baez and first baseman Anthony Rizzo, who are each set to be free agents at season’s end.
“I leave those decisions 100 percent up to Jed,” Ricketts said about whether the three will return or if they could be traded this season. “I feel I have such great relationships with those guys. They have meant so much to the organization, but you really have to leave it up to Jed. It's really his decision on how he is going to build this team going forward. You know I never have interjected myself in those conversations.
“It's all in Jed's court as to what he wants to do. Right now, we are about winning baseball games and will worry about the other stuff at the end of the season.”
While Ricketts shared that message, it has always been the case that he and the business side of the organization set the budget for baseball operations, after which Ricketts stays out of the decisions on players. With that in mind, it doesn’t necessarily mean Hoyer and his front office will have the funds to re-sign all three players.
What does seem to be gaining momentum is the possibility of the Cubs being buyers ahead of the trade deadline on July 30. The Cubs (35-27) were tied atop the NL Central with the Brewers entering play Friday, when Wrigley Field welcomed back fans at full capacity for the first time since 2019. Ricketts indicated that will help the baseball budget.
“Getting back fans in the stands sooner will give us more flexibility,” Ricketts said. “We really couldn't predict what was going to happen this summer. We were hoping to have a full ballpark around this time, but to be there now is good. It’s great for our fans and will give us more financial flexibility this summer.”
The collective bargaining agreement between the league and union is set to expire on Dec. 1, and Ricketts discussed the impact that will have on decisions made next offseason.
“Hopefully the CBA will get resolved as it has in the past,” Ricketts said. “It’s definitely a variable, but it’s too hard to handicap what it means right now. Any team going into next year is likely to be careful with expenses. You may end up in a situation where things are delayed. For now, we are assuming it will work out.”
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.