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 a lot more resources, naturally, from smart business moves they made years ago. I don’t begrudge them any of that. Some teams just have outside resources that are funding their player moves and acquisitions, and that’s really hard to compete with. I understand when fans say, ‘How come you don’t spend like that?’" Ricketts tried to dismiss the Cubs fans complaints that he isn't spending enough money. "Because they think somehow we have all these dollars that the Dodgers have or the Mets have or the Yankees have and we just keep it. Which isn't true at all. What happens is we just try to break even every year, and that's about it." Despite the payroll debate, Ricketts is confident in the Cubs' chances in 2025. "The way you're going to win the World Series is to make the playoffs as often as possible,” Ricketts said. "If you keep making it to the playoffs, you've got a shot. Our goal is to be consistent and always have a team that we think can win our division … absolutely, we've got to get back to being a team that competes for titles. That's everything."
