Ricketts on Pujols, More

[Jntg4]

Via Muskat

Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts said the team will have some financial flexibility and could add a player during the season but wouldn't comment on whether adding Albert Pujols is a possibility. Since Pujols rejected the Cardinals' latest offer, the Cubs have been rumored to be a possible bidder if the first baseman becomes a free agent.

"I don't have any insights or thoughts on any of that situation," Ricketts said when asked about Pujols. "All I know is what I read in the paper. I guess it just has to sit until the end of the season."

He said Major League owners are more concerned about the length of some of the mega deals than the money involved.

"If you're going to sign someone for seven, eight years, you better make sure that's the guy you want," he said.

Ricketts said any additions made in-season would be up to GM Jim Hendry, whom the owners have had more involved in terms of budget decisions so he understands the team's finances.

"All of that stuff is in Jim's court," Ricketts said. "There will be a little more financial flexibility at the end of the season than there has been in years past."

And Ricketts' message to the team?

"I think the message for the team this year and the theme for the team this year is the fact that through the last six weeks of 2010 we were one of the best teams in baseball," Ricketts said of the 24-13 finish under manager Mike Quade. "We have that team back and that manager back and we've added to it. I think we build on that momentum and use the next 40 days to get ready for the season and come into the season with a sense of purpose and a sense of pride and get off to a quick start and have a great year."

"There will be a little more financial flexibility at the end of this season than there has been in years past." Is he referring to a higher payroll, or just the contracts coming off the books?

 

[cubsneedmiracle]

That tells me all I need to know..

If Pujols hits the market.. that "flexibility" is geared towards a big addition.

 

[Jntg4]

That tells me all I need to know..

If Pujols hits the market.. that "flexibility" is geared towards a big addition.

So we will have a Pujols or a Fielder most likely IMO. If not one of them, then something big.

I wonder what happens if neither come to the North Side... what's the plan then? Colvin? Davis?

 

[cubsneedmiracle]

So we will have a Pujols or a Fielder most likely IMO. If not one of them, then something big.

I wonder what happens if neither come to the North Side... what's the plan then? Colvin? Davis?

Im sure Ricketts is gonna tell Hendry to go get someone big.. If it isn't Pujols..

It could easily be Fielder and another somewhat large piece to the puzzle.

 

[Jntg4]

Im sure Ricketts is gonna tell Hendry to go get someone big.. If it isn't Pujols..

It could easily be Fielder and another somewhat large piece to the puzzle.

Ya, I'm just wondering what happens if both Pujols and Fielder go elsewhere.

Who else is big next offseason?

 

[cubsneedmiracle]

Ya, I'm just wondering what happens if both Pujols and Fielder go elsewhere.

Who else is big next offseason?

Sabathia could opt out.. Don't really know how likely that is.. but its been talked about.

A-Gon will be if there isn't any extension from BOS.

Other than those..

Kelly Johnson, Brandon Phillips (option)

Jose Reyes

A-Ram will be

Michael Cuddyer, Grady Sizemore

Mark Buehrle, Chris Carpenter (option), Aaron Cook, Scott Olsen (option), Roy Oswalt (option), C.J. Wilson

Jonathan Broxton, Matt Capps, Ryan Franklin, Joe Nathan (option), Jonathan Papelbon, Jose Valverde, Joel Zumaya

 

[Jntg4]

Sabathia could opt out.. Don't really know how likely that is.. but its been talked about.

A-Gon will be if there isn't any extension from BOS.

Other than those..

Kelly Johnson, Brandon Phillips (option)

Jose Reyes

A-Ram will be

Michael Cuddyer, Grady Sizemore

Mark Buehrle, Chris Carpenter (option), Aaron Cook, Scott Olsen (option), Roy Oswalt (option), C.J. Wilson

Jonathan Broxton, Matt Capps, Ryan Franklin, Joe Nathan (option), Jonathan Papelbon, Jose Valverde, Joel Zumaya

I'll take Johnson. Need a leadoff hitter though. And we need someone to protect whatever 1B we get.

 

[cubsneedmiracle]

I'll take Johnson. Need a leadoff hitter though. And we need someone to protect whatever 1B we get.

Agree.. He would be a nice fit.

 

[Jntg4]

Agree.. He would be a nice fit.

I guess if we get Johnson, we can make Castro the leadoff hitter in 2012. I really would love that.

Then, since Ricketts is hinting at a higher payroll, MAYBE we could get A-Ram and Pujols or Fielder too. But that is dependent on how much he raises the payroll.

 

[cubsneedmiracle]

I guess if we get Johnson, we can make Castro the leadoff hitter in 2012. I really would love that.

Then, since Ricketts is hinting at a higher payroll, MAYBE we could get A-Ram and Pujols or Fielder too. But that is dependent on how much he raises the payroll.

Hopefully A-Ram figures he isn't worth that much anymore..

 

[Jntg4]

Hopefully A-Ram figures he isn't worth that much anymore..

It's a club option that he can opt out of. It depends on what the Cubs do.

I hope Aramis has a big year and Ricketts payroll boost is big.

 

[The Bandit]

imagine an infield of A-Ram, Castro, Johnson or Phillips, Pujols or Fielder.

 

[Jntg4]

imagine an infield of A-Ram, Castro, Johnson or Phillips, Pujols or Fielder.

Not so sure A-Ram will be here if Pujols/Fielder and Phillips/Johnson are though.

 

[The Bandit]

Not so sure A-Ram will be here if Pujols/Fielder and Phillips/Johnson are though.

Meh I do

 

[Jntg4]

Meh I do

That would be a HUGE addition to the payroll. Probably more than Ricketts is willing to add.

 

[AddisonStation]

So we will have a Pujols or a Fielder most likely IMO. If not one of them, then something big.

I wonder what happens if neither come to the North Side... what's the plan then? Colvin? Davis?

Bridge jumping

 

[Jntg4]

Bridge jumping

Sounds cool.

I can't help but wonder what the backup plan to Pujols and Fielder is though.

 

[wadedog21]

Hopefully A-Ram figures he isn't worth that much anymore..

he definately needs to take less. I don't see him in a Cubs uniform after this year....maybe not in baseball at all. I thought I read somewhere that due to the time away from his family during the baseball season he was debating on whether or not he wanted to continue playing.