Tom Ricketts, Cubs still waiting on free agent Cody Bellinger

MESA, Ariz. (670 The Score) -- With the Cubs conducting their first full-squad workouts of spring training Monday morning, chairman Tom Ricketts was present to address the team as he has done each year.

But as Ricketts later spoke to reporters, the subject turned to the player who’s not present at Cubs camp: Cody Bellinger, the coveted free agent who’s still available to sign. Ricketts deferred to Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer on the prospects of re-signing Bellinger.

"Basically, the way it works is I give the baseball guys a budget to spend,” Ricketts said. “So, we have a pretty simple model and we let Jed make all the decisions on where he is going to allocate his resources.

“With respect to Bellinger. I am like everybody else, I am just waiting. We are waiting for him and his agent to engage. It could be anytime now, or a few weeks. We will just see where it goes. I don't know, so we wait until they get serious.”

Bellinger, 28, enjoyed a bounce-back season in 2023 in which he hit .307 with 26 home runs and 97 RBIs. He played out the season on a one-year deal with the Cubs and proceeded with the intentions to hit the open market.

Scott Boras, the powerful agent who represents Bellinger and other prized free agents, has often made it a preference to engage directly with owners. Ricketts has declined to get involved with Boras to this point.

"I think one of his signature moves is to go talk to the owner about the player,” Ricketts said. “But I think if you do that you undermine the credibility of the GM. I think asserting yourself in the conversation certainly doesn't help. So, I do not talk to him."

The Cubs fell shy of the playoffs in 2023, finishing with 83 victories while stumbling in September. The team fired four-year manager David Ross after former Brewers skipper Craig Counsell became available for hire, appointing him to that position in early November.

The Cubs have sought to improve with the signing of left-handed starter Shota Imanaga, reliever Hector Neris and a trade for first baseman Michael Busch. The Cubs will also be counting on the development of young prospects like outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong and left-hander Jordan Wicks.

Ricketts is pleased with what the Cubs have accomplished to this point.

"I think Jed had a really good offseason" Ricketts said " At this point, I do not see why we wouldn't be favored to win the division this year.

"The beauty of baseball is you don't have to have the highest payroll or the most stars to win. If you are playing well, anybody can beat anybody. You look at the Diamondbacks; I was happy for them. They were a well-constructed team and they played baseball with speed-moving runners and good defense. I just wish they hadn't beat us so many times."

In addressing the Cubs’ players and coaches on Monday morning, Ricketts delivered a message reminding them of what they are representing playing for this ballclub.

"To me, it's all about the fans,” Ricketts said. “Just remember to treat our fans like gold. I like to remind the players that this team means so much to so many people. We are just all honored and blessed to be a part of an organization that has so many fans. We know how much they care. I remind the guys that the No. 1 thing is to treat the fans great.”