MESA, Ariz. (670 The Score) -- Two days after Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant reiterated his love for the organization and city of Chicago as he continues to land in trade speculation, owner Tom Ricketts returned the appreciation.
"Obviously, we love KB," Ricketts said at a press conference Monday. "He is a great player. He is a great part of the team. Most of the things out there are just rumors, noise and a lot of it is just not true. If anything was going down that path (of trading Bryant), that would be a baseball decision. We love Kris, hope he stays healthy and has a great year."
Ricketts held his media session after his annual meeting with players and the coaching staff before the Cubs' first full-squad workout Monday. As you'd expect, Bryant was a hot topic as his future with the Cubs remains uncertain.
Part of the reason the Cubs have had Bryant trade discussions with other teams is because he's set to become a free agent after 2021, and a deal would ensure they don't lose him for no value. Of course, the Cubs could also re-sign the three-time All-Star Bryant on a lucrative contract given that he has expressed his fondness for the team and Chicago.
So do the Cubs have the resources to retain Bryant? Ricketts noted Bryant met with president of baseball operations Theo Epstein on Sunday, but he otherwise didn't reveal a whole lot.
"Where we place our resources is a baseball decision, so that is Theo and Jed (Hoyer)," Ricketts said. "Ultimately, we have to look at this from a bigger perspective. Just because you spend a lot of money doesn't mean you are going to win. We have seen that in our own organization. We had the third-highest payroll in the first year and had the 22nd-best record. The fact is it's not about spending the most money. It's where you spend it and getting the right guys on board. Secondly, there is some punishment you get from the league going over the competitive balance tax. Those aren't defining the decisions for the front office, but they are a consideration. Our goal is to win a World Series, and the strategy is to try ad be competitive every year. The competitive balance tax is a factor when they put their budget in place for all the teams."
Ricketts expanded on the topic of the $208-million competitive balance tax and whether that has contributed to the Cubs' inactivity in free agency this offseason. The Cubs are a few million over the threshold now, according to various outlets.
"The competitive balance tax is a factor that every large-market GM at least has to put into their calculus when they create their teams," Ricketts said. "And I don't know how much fans know, but it's not just a financial penalty. It's a financial penalty that grows over time for the number of times you're above the threshold, and then it gets into a player penalty, which you have to be careful to avoid. Like I said, it's a factor. I don't think it's a defining factor, but it's definitely a factor that every team has to deal with -- at least every large-market team has to deal with.
"We kind of had a different circumstance this year," Ricketts added when asked if a championship-contending team being stagnant was unusual in his view. "Some of the flexibility we would've had going into the offseason we used last summer to bring in (Craig) Kimbrel. But I trust our baseball guys to put those resources to work in the right way and also keep a long-term perspective. Once again, with the strategy of trying to be as consistent as possible to make the playoffs as often as possible. And I think our guys will make good decisions."
Ricketts was also asked directly if the Cubs could have the money to retain Bryant and star shortstop Javier Baez, who appears to be a much likelier candidate to sign an extension. He mostly deferred to Epstein.
"Once again, that's in Theo's camp," Ricketts said. "I mean, that's his decision. We'd have to take a look at what all that would mean for us financially."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
