Tom Ricketts defends Cubs payroll: "We just try to break even every year" |
The Chicago Cubs are baseball's fourth-richest team but have drawn criticism for not spending like a big-market club.
Their nearly $220 million payroll ranks 14th in MLB heading into the 2025 season, keeping them under the luxury tax for the second consecutive year. At the 2025 Cubs Convention, Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts addressed the payroll complaints during an interview with 670 The Score, discussing the challenges of competing with teams like the Dodgers. “I don’t think fans should spend all their time thinking about which team has more money or how much they’re spending," Ricketts said during his radio appearance. “It just becomes a big narrative that’s a distraction.’’ Ricketts understands that it will be tough to compete against the Dodgers in the near future. “Obviously, the Dodgers have done a really nice job of making good business decisions, making good player decisions,’’ Ricketts said, “and they built a fortress. That’s tough. But I don’t begrudge them any of that. It’s like the Yankees from 30 years ago or whatever, these things come and go." Ricketts tried to dismiss the Cubs fans complaints that he isn't spending enough money. “I think our fans somehow think we have all these dollars that the Dodgers have or the Mets have or the Yankees have, and we just keep it. It’s not true. We just try to break even every year.’’ Despite the payroll debate, Ricketts is confidence in the Cubs' chances in 2025. “We should be the favorites, Ricketts said about the National League Central division. ‘We’ve got to get back on the winning track.’’
