Cubs owner criticized for hollow Bryce Harper claims

Tom Ricketts, the owner of the Chicago Cubs, recently revealed that he considered signing star player Bryce Harper in 2019. However, many fans and writers believe his comments are insincere. Since winning the World Series in 2016, the Cubs have struggled and missed the playoffs for four consecutive years. The team has only made the postseason twice since their championship run, with one appearance during the expanded playoffs in 2020. Their recent performance has been poor, as they started the 2025 season with two losses against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Japan. Critics point out that one reason for the Cubs’ decline is Ricketts' unwillingness to invest in top players. A writer for SB Nation has accused Ricketts of using the Cubs as a way to make profits, without investing in talent. In a recent interview with CNBC, Ricketts mentioned the Cubs considered pursuing Harper, who eventually signed a massive contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. In 2019, the Cubs made only minimal signings, focusing on lower-cost players. Meanwhile, big-name players like Manny Machado and Bryce Harper secured record contracts elsewhere. Following the 2019 season, Harper has excelled, adding more awards and achieving great statistics. Many fans are frustrated with Ricketts' claims, arguing that his statements do not reflect the team's actual spending behavior. They feel the Cubs had no real intention of signing Harper or similar stars, as they have avoided major signings since then. As the team looks ahead to future free agency, it seems unlikely that they will pursue high-risk investments in big players.