In September, Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts stated he'd a difficult time imagining Carlos Zambrano coming back towards the team following the pitcher's early exit in August. But Theo Epstein, the Cubs' leader of baseball procedures, is giving Zambrano an chance to earn his long ago. Ricketts stated Tuesday he'll defer to Epstein.
"What Theo stated openly is he's prepared to give Carlos an opportunity to earn his long ago around the team," Ricketts stated. "It's [Epstein's] decision, and that i support it 100 %.Inch
Zambrano makes three begins for Caribes within the Venezuelan Winter League, but was sidelined after going for a line drive away his face in the last begin November. 18. He might go back to the mound in a few days.
Ricketts addressed other subjects on Tuesday, including baseball's new Collective Negotiating Agreement, that will cap the quantity of dollars a team can invest in its Draft picks. Which will affect what Epstein & Co. do in June. The Cubs spent a franchise record $12 million this year within the Draft. Last Year and '10, they spent an overall total of $8.7 million combined on Draft picks. Did Ricketts begin to see the changes coming?
"People understood this was a problem that might be talked about within the CBA," he stated Tuesday. "I had been personally amazed at what lengths it went. I figured there can be some changes, however i wasn't sure what lengths it might go. It is a large change, a larger change than I was expecting. We understood it had been possible that something similar to this could are available in.Inch
Does it change the way the Cubs choose gamers? Ricketts deferred to Epstein and GM Jed Hoyer how their assets are allotted.
Ricketts stated he's speaking to city authorities on which they are able to do in order to get makeovers done at Wrigley Area. It's unlikely they've got everything performed by 2014, the ballpark's 100th anniversary.
"There is nothing concrete at this time -- no pun intended," Ricketts stated.
For new manager Dale Sveum, Ricketts stated they'd a couple of ales together in Milwaukee throughout the overall Managers Conferences.
"There is no litmus test type of question which i desired to hear," Ricketts stated. "I'd be encouraging from the decision from the baseball men. I figured it might be good to sit down lower and speak with him and become familiar with him and that i was very impressed."
There's talk from the Cubs finding yourself in repairing mode this year. Does which means that they win the coming year?
"Obviously, we are able to win in 2012," Ricketts stated. "Like I stated [in the finish of year, you receive 25 men playing hard, cooperating, and remain healthy, baseball informs you many things can happen when you are getting that. We'll observe how the offseason goes. I imagine we'll be in it the coming year.Inch
It appeared as though the honeymoon ended rapidly for that Ricketts family, which required within the Cubs in 2009. They has finished in fifth devote the nation's League Central at the spine-to-back seasons.
"I truly don't think about it when it comes to 'Q ratings' or honeymoons," Ricketts stated. "Ultimately, as we win, individuals will think i was good proprietors, and when we lose, we are bad proprietors. As lengthy as you concentrate on doing what you could to win, everything will fall under place."
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