The Chicago Cubs entered the offseason connected to some of the biggest names in MLB free agency, including a reunion with All-Star hitter Cody Bellinger. With the 2024 MLB schedule fast approach, ownership seems to be admitting they are done spending.
Chicago started its offseason with misses in free agency, missing out on Japanese star Yoshinobu Yamamoto and reigning AL MVP Shohei Ohtani. However, the club did fortify its pitching with starting pitcher Shota Imanaga joining the Cubs rotation and Hector Neris added to the bullpen. For fans hoping to see Chicago fortify its lineup by re-signing Bellinger, that may not be in the cards.
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Cubs’ owner Tom Ricketts told ESPN’s Jesse Rogers that the Cubs payroll for 2024 is likely around where it’s going to finish and the only way he would increase payroll is through “more revenue”. Otherwise, he believes Chicago is fine where it is.
- Cody Bellinger stats 2023: .307/.356/.525, .881 OPS, 26 home runs, 97 RBI
“That’s the beauty of baseball. You don’t have to have the highest payroll or the biggest stars. If you’re playing well, anybody can beat anybody. I was happy for the Diamondbacks. We’re right there at CBT (Competitive Balance Tax) levels. It’s kind of our natural place for us. That should be enough to win our division and be consistent every year.”
Tom Ricketts on the Chicago Cubs payroll in 2024, not needing to spend more
Bellinger’s absence leaves a big void in the lineup, especially for a team that is already weak at third base and catcher. While bringing back the All-Star slugger would give Chicago a much-needed boost to the middle of the batting order, that currently seems unlikely to happen.
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While some are skeptical of the Cubs’ World Series odds and their chances of winning the division, Ricketts believes Chicago should already be the favorites to finish atop the NL Central.
“I think Jed had a really good offseason. We’ve added some parts that are going to be beneficial to the whole. I don’t see any reason why we wouldn’t be favored for our division this year.”
Tom Ricketts on the Chicago Cubs offseason
At the very least, Ricketts is making it very clear that there’s no negotiating to be done with Bellinger and agent Scott Boras. Chicago’s owner is pleased with the current roster and if anything is going to be added to it this season, it will have to be on the club’s terms.
