Cubs News: Karl Ravech believes the Cubs can make a postseason run

Cubs haven’t spent big lately; that doesn’t seem likely to change, either

Now, given COVID-19’s devastating financial impact on the sport and on owners, those discussions are undoubtedly more challenging – and could force teams to really take a long look at who they decide to talk extensions with.

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"“While players and fans will often fall back on, ‘The owner has X amount of dollars and why isn’t he investing it in the team,’ I think there’s an argument to be made that given the financial challenges that COVID has presented, you’re going to find a depressed market for baseball players. The money that was there back in January and February just isn’t there.”"

Cubs fans have lashed out at the Ricketts family over the last couple of years for what’s looked and felt like a hard salary cap given to Epstein and the front office. Of course, moves like Nicholas Castellanos at last year’s trade deadline shun that perception – but when you see a big market organization like Chicago shopping the bargain bin to address long-standing needs, especially on the pitching side of things, as we did this winter, it’s hard to not fall victim to that same line of thinking.

I’ll have more from this interview over Labor Day weekend. Ravech and I also talked about Jason Heyward’s breakout season, David Ross versus Joe Maddon and how front offices will ultimately make those tough decisions with key players in a post-COVID world.