Ricketts disappointed in Cubs

LOS ANGELES - It's been awhile since Cubs owner Tom Ricketts has spoken to the Chicago media as a whole, but he expressed his disappointment in the team Friday to veteran baseball writer Randy Peterson of the Des Moines (Iowa) Register.

Ricketts was in Des Moines to watch the Cubs' Class AAA affiliate. He also assured fans in Des Moines that the I-Cubs would not move to Omaha, Neb., home of fame and much fortune to the Ricketts family.

Ricketts, who may grace the Chicago media with an audience after the all-star break, was careful not to say too much to the Register.

"The first half of the year has been disappointing for every fan, the Ricketts family included," Ricketts told the paper. "The off-season moves were very strong: Marlon Byrd is our all-star. Getting him was a good decision, but I don't think anyone could really have predicted the difficulty we've had this year.

"I've talked to thousands of fans many right here in Des Moines. There's nothing I can tell them that they don't know. We're watching closely how things are going on the field."

General manager Jim Hendry has a contract that runs through 2012. His job seems safe for now, but if the Cubs go into complete free-fall in the second half, all bets might be off.

The Cubs are woefully underachieving on the field, and they are weighted down by long-term contracts and no-trade clauses handed out by Hendry and the former owners, the Tribune Co.

Another sensitive topic Ricketts danced around was the future of Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg, who is Iowa's manager and who has worked his way up through the managerial ranks in the Cubs' system.

There is much speculation Sandberg could replace Lou Piniella as manager of the big-league team whenever the Cubs and Piniella decide to part company.

Hendry said Friday he will not fire Piniella this season. Sandberg could be a popular choice in Chicago.

"I understand that," Ricketts said in the story. "He's always been a crowd favorite. I'm staying away from that one."

Ricketts did praise Sandberg.

"He's wonderful for the organization," he said. "A Hall of Famer helping our kids develop for the future - that's terrific."

Both Ricketts and Piniella deferred to Hendry on whether the Cubs would be buyers or sellers at the July 31 nonwaiver trading deadline.