Major League Baseball

Ricketts still searching for ways to improve Cubs

Published Feb. 19, 2011 9:16 p.m. ET

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Chicago Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts has been busy in the 16 months since his family took control of the legendary team that hasn't won the World Series since 1908.

Under his leadership, the Cubs have searched for new revenue streams, sought state funding to help upgrade venerable Wrigley Field, won financial approval for a new spring training complex in Mesa and searched for land in the Dominican Republic to build a new academy.

''We have to have an organization that has the right people, but also has the right place to train and the right place to get better,'' Ricketts said Saturday, before the Cubs had their first full-squad workout of spring training.

''Obviously last year was a disappointing year on the field, but off the field some of the things we did ... will pay dividends down the line.''

Ricketts said he's pleased with the offseason moves made by general manager Jim Hendry, who was operating under a tighter budget. Chicago traded for Matt Garza and signed free agents Carlos Pena (one-year, $10 million) and Kerry Wood (one-year, $1.5 million).

The Cubs had an estimated player payroll of $145 million at the beginning of last season and finished fifth in the NL Central. That could drop by $10 to $12 million this season.

''Every year you got to win, whether our payroll was lower or higher,'' Ricketts said. ''You get the same message out of us. ... For these guys how much they get paid, I mean it's great thing for them, but they are here to win and they know it.''

Ricketts said he's still trying to work out a financial plan to upgrade Wrigley field, the second oldest park in the majors that was built in 1914.

His proposal to use $200 million in state bonds to help renovate the neighborhood ball park was met with opposition from Gov. Pat Quinn and others.

''We continue to talk to our elected officials,'' Ricketts said. ''We're just going to work it through, come up with a great solution and by the time we announce what is the best answer, I think everyone will be supportive.''

Ricketts said there have been some changes made at Wrigley since last season, but added ''there are no big revenue spikes out of the park this year.''

After being approved by voters in November, the city of Mesa will provide up to $99 million to construct the new spring training complex two miles southwest of the team's current facility at Hohokam Park. Any additional funds and upkeep of the new park will be financed by the Cubs, who plan to develop a shopping and entertainment area near the ballpark.

The new facility would open in 2013 or 2014.

The Cubs could have more financial flexibility before next season when some big contracts expire after this year, including the five-year, $75 million deal of third baseman Aramis Ramirez and the four-year, $48 million deal of outfielder Kosuke Fukudome.

Asked about the possibility of delivering a megadeal to a player, Ricketts said how long the deal is can be as important as the dollar figures.

''You have to be very careful if you are going to sign one of those longer deals. If you are going to take a guy on for seven, eight, nine years, better make sure that's the guy you want,'' he said.

Notes: Aramis Ramirez said he put on six to eight pounds during the offseason and hopes to stay healthy after battling nagging injuries a year ago. He had a slow start last season (.207 and 10 homers) before a stronger second half (.276 and 15 homers). Ramirez said he'd prefer to stay with the Cubs after his contract expires. There is a mutual option for 2012. ... Alfonso Soriano said he worked on strengthening his legs and might improve on his 24-homer season a year ago with a few more at-bats. He had 496 at-bats a year ago when he also hit 40 doubles.

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