Commentary: Now is not the time for Tom Ricketts to be cheap |
This week's biggest news regarding contracts was the Toronto Blue Jays handing out their most significant contract: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. ’s whopping 14-year 500 million dollar contract. The Jays signed and developed Guerrero at 16, and he has been a part of their organization ever since. Handing out this type of contract to homegrown talent is essential for a team today.
With that being said, what happens when you trade for a superstar who is set to be a free agent at season's end? Sending Houston not only third baseman Isaac Paredes and first-rounder Cam Smith but also throwing in Hayden Wesneski and giving the Astros three players with multiple years of control would make one think it’s a no-brainer to sign your superstar player to a contract extension before he reaches free agency at seasons end. In most cases, this would be correct, but when it comes to Tom Ricketts and how he has handled the payroll lately, going into a price range that fits with what Tucker wants will blow anything Ricketts has given out so far in his ownership when it comes down to dollars and years. So far this early season, just having Tucker on the team has completely transformed the Cubs' offense. His excellent defender skills have also helped the pitching staff and show how crucial a superstar-level player is to any team in baseball. Jim Crane, owner of the Astros, knew that they would not be paying for future years with Tucker and traded him away for as much as they could, and it was Chicago who reaped the benefit of getting him. Now is the time to show your commitment to starting a new Cubs dynasty, and doing the extension before he reaches free agency is crucial to Chicago. If he were to reach free agency and you're in a bidding war with the Yankees, Phillies, Mets, or even the always-in-the-hunt-to-spend money Dodgers, you are fighting a losing battle. Sure, Chicago is a big market, but when it comes to spending at the level of the big boys, Ricketts has seemed to sit idly by and watch all these pieces head off to other destinations. Players want to go to teams committed to winning and back that commitment up financially. If Tom Ricketts is known as an owner who cares more about his bottom line than winning multiple championships, star players will go elsewhere to call home. Playing at Wrigley Field is an iconic experience, and something players rave about whether they are suiting up for the home team or visiting, but also, these players want to be paid their worth as this is their job, after all. Ricketts can change the narrative around the league that he won’t spend as much on star players and knock it out of the park with a Tucker extension. Doing so shows your fanbase that you are committed to winning championships, as Tucker is a piece you build around for multiple runs at the World Series. This type of star player is like a magnet and will have future free agents wanting to come to Chicago to play alongside him. Cubs fans want to win, and they want to win now. This is no longer a lovable loser franchise but one that should extend its competitive window year in and year out. A big piece of that puzzle starts in right field for the Cubbies. Here’s hoping that it will remain that way for at least the next ten years and that, in this instance, Tom Ricketts decides not to be cheap.
