The riches and notoriety of winning a World Series may go only so far in retaining marquee players such as Jake Arrieta.
"That’s a Theo and Jed decision," Chairman Tom Ricketts said Saturday in referring to President Theo Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer after addressing his Cubs players before Saturday’s first full-squad workout was postponed because of rain.
"They have the right perspective on what they have to put a great team on the field this year but have a longer term perspective in realizing decisions that affect this year might hurt us in a few years.
"I’ll leave it up to them. I imagine they have a strategy around that."
Arrieta represents the first major free-agent decision the Cubs may make since transforming the once-downtrodden franchise into World Series champions.
The Cubs paid $2.96 million in baseball’s luxury tax in 2016, but it was worth it because they won their first Series since 1908.
"We’ll be thoughtful and strategic about when we go over the tax and when we don’t," Ricketts said.
Ricketts, covering an array of subjects, countered that it wasn’t "inevitable" the Cubs would be host to the 2020 All-Star Game, although he did say that renovations at Wrigley would be completed by that time.
Ricketts said the Starbucks store will open at the Wrigley plaza in April, adding that there are plans for the World Series trophy to be on display at the plaza after its whirlwind tour for fans around the Midwest.
"It’s probably the most photographed trophy in baseball," Ricketts said.
The design of the Cubs’ World Series ring has been completed and will be unveiled during a ceremony April 12, said Ricketts, who declined to divulge any details.
Extra innings: The rain also delayed the first of manager Joe Maddon’s planned gimmicks this spring. "The surprise requires better weather than this," said Maddon, who believes Monday or Tuesday might provide better weather. … Jason Heyward was amused to learn that Maddon derived his "don’t forget the heartbeat" theme from his World Series speech. "He got a slogan," Heyward said. "That’s what he does. He’s on it. He’s able to think outside the box."
Caption Joe Maddon on Cubs’ team meeting, spring training plans
Cubs manager Joe Maddon discusses a team meeting and spring training plans on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017, in Mesa, Ariz. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Cubs manager Joe Maddon discusses a team meeting and spring training plans on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017, in Mesa, Ariz. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Joe Maddon on Cubs’ team meeting, spring training plans
Cubs manager Joe Maddon discusses a team meeting and spring training plans on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017, in Mesa, Ariz. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Cubs manager Joe Maddon discusses a team meeting and spring training plans on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017, in Mesa, Ariz. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Cubs’ Chairman Tom Ricketts on speech to team, World Series trophy
Cubs’ Chairman Tom Ricketts talks about speech to team and the World Series trophy. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Cubs’ Chairman Tom Ricketts talks about speech to team and the World Series trophy. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Cubs’ Kris Bryant on being pranked by Greg Maddux
Cubs’ Kris Bryant on being pranked by Greg Maddux. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Cubs’ Kris Bryant on being pranked by Greg Maddux. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Cubs’ Joe Maddon on ‘heartbeat’ speech
Cubs manager Joe Maddon talks about "heartbeat" speech. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Cubs manager Joe Maddon talks about “heartbeat” speech. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Cubs’ Jason Heyward on locker room speeches
Cubs’ Jason Heyward talks about giving team speeches. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
Cubs’ Jason Heyward talks about giving team speeches. (Mark Gonzales/Chicago Tribune)
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