Yeah, I saw that article. That's why I made the above comment. If this idea is being shared to agents and players, it cripples any attempt to build.
This is clearly the Cubs current rep in the business - rival execs are the ones who’d know. And you’re right, it will stay that way until they do something to change it. Ricketts has earned his reputation for frugality but it goes deeper than that. Theo didn’t have to prove his seriousness to anybody - he was a known quantity. Hoyer is not - he’s done nothing to convince any agent or rival exec that he’s a big fish. And while it’s neither here nor there, his extremely quiet demeanor and lack of presence doesn’t help in the perception department.
There’s one way to change all that, and one way only. The onus is on them to exercise that option.