Cubs chairman expects 2011 payroll to dip

Chicago Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts says he expects the team's payroll to be slightly lower next season. He also isn't going to put a timetable on hiring a manager.

Ricketts spoke Sunday before the Cubs' final home game of a disappointing season. This was the first season of ownership for the Ricketts family.

The Ricketts family inherited a 2010 payroll around $144 million. Ricketts says he sees it being slightly lower next year.

Ricketts praised interim manager Mike Quade, who has guided the Cubs to a 19-10 record since Lou Piniella retired in August. Ricketts says general manager Jim Hendry will keep talking to people as the Cubs decide who should be their manager in 2011.