"An upbeat Tom Ricketts gave his opening remarks to Cubs players on a windy day at Fitch Park, telling them he hopes to "build on the momentum" that ended the 2010 season. The Cubs chairman was visibly relaxed starting his second season as an owner after stumbling through his first season with a fifth-place club and sagging attendance. Despite a payroll cut and reduced expectations, Ricketts told the media the Cubs goals will remain the same as they were in 2010. "Every year you have to win," he said. "Whether our payroll was lower or higher, you would get the same message out of us. These guys have a lot of pride, they want to win this year. In the end, for the (players), how much they get paid, it's a great thing for them, but we're here to win and they know it." Ricketts said he brought general manager Jim Hendry and assistant general manager Randy Bush "into the loop on what the financial situation is and to make sure they understand what the budget is and why it's there." He reiterated his Year One theme that after expenses, all the incoming revenue goes directly to baseball operations. "I think Jim understands that more than he would have a year ago," Ricketts said. In scrimping this offseason, Hendry deferred $5 million of Carlos Pena's contract to January of 2012, persuaded Kerry Wood to sign a $1.5 million deal and acquired Rays starter Matt Garza for prospects. There were no long-term free agent deals, though Ricketts said there would be more "financial flexibility" next offseason when the contracts of Kosuke Fukudome, Carlos Silva and Aramis Ramirez expire." http://www.chicagotribune.com/sport...etts-cubs-spring-trai20110219,0,6954632.story
