Chicago Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts arrived on the ballpark in good time.
It was a stupendous Saturday morning at Wrigley Field, the gates have been about to open on Nico Horner Bobblehead Day, and Ricketts had inducted former coach Buck O’Neil, broadcaster Pat Hughes and legendary outfielder José Cardenal into the Cubs Hall of Fame.
Ricketts was in a superb temper as he approached a half-dozen reporters loitering within the concourse.
“Sitting here today, I really feel great, honestly,” he mentioned in an impromptu interview earlier than a 5-2 loss to the San Francisco Giants.
The Cubs took an early lead when Ian Happ drove in Nico Hoerner with a double within the first. The Giants shortly responded, nonetheless, tagging starter Marcus Stroman for 4 runs within the second and main the remainder of the way in which.
Not surprisingly, Ricketts has a extra optimistic outlook than a number of the followers who’ve tuned out the rebuild that may’t be referred to as a rebuild. He’s pleased with the event of younger pitching and the job supervisor David Ross has carried out. He mentioned there’s cash to be spent within the offseason, and that staff President Jed Hoyer and his minions are the suitable guys to do it. And the followers who discuss to him are “happy” in regards to the course of and firmly consider within the staff’s future.
In case you haven’t observed, it’s at all times sunny in Rickettsville.
“Obviously, following a similar process or strategy as we did 10 years ago” he mentioned, evaluating this season with the 2012 rebuild. “Having done it once, and largely with the same people, it gives me a lot of confidence that we’ll do it the right way again.”
The Cubs ended Saturday with a 58-81 file, on tempo for 94 losses. Average attendance at Wrigley was down about 15% (38,208 to 32,490) from 2019, the final full season with full capability at dwelling video games. The precise crowds contained in the park have been round 15,000 for 3 weekday video games in opposition to the Cincinnati Reds, and season-ticket holders can’t unload their tickets free of charge.
But Ricketts mentioned the Cubs did what they got down to do — and deemed the 2022 season a “success.”
“The fact is you can’t buy a championship team in baseball,” he mentioned. “You have to build it. And that’s what we’re doing. And in order to build it, you’ve got to take years where you let young guys get at-bats, give them a chance to prove themselves and find out who you actually have to build around. And that’s what this year has been all about. And it has been a success.”
The authentic rebuild turned the nook in 2015 when the Cubs signed free agent Jon Lester, employed Joe Maddon to handle and promoted prospects Kris Bryant and Kyle Schwarber. There aren’t any gamers at present within the system as extremely touted as Bryant was, however there could also be extra depth after Hoyer stockpiled lower-level prospects throughout final season’s sell-off. Several of these gamers are anticipated to be prepared in 2023 and ‘24.
Ricketts, who has not carried out a bunch interview with Cubs beat writers since mid-2021, declined to say whether or not he feels Hoyer has been “vindicated” by the sell-off, whilst Bryant, Javier Báez, Craig Kimbrel and others moved final yr have struggled this season. He merely famous it was “time to make changes, and I give Jed credit” for making the required strikes.
“It is about building the next winning team,” he mentioned. “Not about what happened in the past.”
That oft-heard speaking level additionally might apply to the choice to chop Jason Heyward free after the season with one yr and $22 million remaining on his eight-year, $184 million deal.
Ricketts mentioned that was Hoyer’s name: “That’s all Jed.”
So it doesn’t undergo Ricketts?
“We talk about everything, but that’s Jed’s decision,” he continued. “Jason has been a terrific participant for us. Obviously he didn’t have the sort of stats folks anticipated. But a terrific staff participant, a terrific man, a giant a part of our championship. Wish him all the most effective.
“But once again, as you’re looking forward, you’ve got to find at-bats for new guys. That’s how you find out what you’ve got.”
Ricketts deferred questions on free-agent selections to Hoyer, saying the “ball is in Jed’s court when it comes to how and where” he spends the Cubs’ cash. Hoyer has conceded the Cubs want energy, and there can be a number of expensive free brokers accessible that will match the invoice, together with Aaron Judge.
“He’s got a lot of flexibility, and we’ll let him do it,” Ricketts mentioned of Hoyer, including: “I have confidence Jed knows what he’s doing.”
Ricketts mentioned the smaller crowds at Wrigley are a byproduct of the dropping file, and “all we can do about that is create a great game-day experience, and even if we’re having a bad season (ensure) everybody has a great day at Wrigley Field.”
He believes most Cubs followers are on board with the event plan as a result of some younger gamers have stepped up and high prospects are near being main leaguers.
Referring to skepticism from native reporters, Ricketts mentioned even media members “have to admit” the pitching infrastructure “has really delivered.” He referred to as himself “super-optimistic” about what’s in retailer down the highway.
Ricketts usually walks across the ballpark speaking to Cubs followers, whom he mentioned have been “happy” about having a staff that “cares about winning” and “plays hard.” Ricketts mentioned followers just like the younger gamers and consider Ross is a “great manager.”
“People understand we have a good future,” he mentioned.
When requested if he noticed what followers have been saying on Twitter, Ricketts grinned.
“People don’t put nice things on social media,” he mentioned. “C’mon.”
Ricketts would’ve spoken longer, however a staff worker broke off the dialog.
“We’ve got to do this more often,” Ricketts was advised.
He laughed.
Wait till subsequent yr.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com