After Winter Meetings, Cubs look 2016 World Series bound

Teammates celebrate the Cubs' game 4 victory over the rival Saint Louis Cardinals in the 2015 NLDS.

CHICAGO, IL -- Fresh off a magical postseason run to 2015 National League Championship Series, the Chicago Cubs have burst on to the scene with their innovative use of farm system talent combined with a World Series experienced manager. Leaving fans hungry and anxious for another run of success heading into the 2016 regular season, the Cubs' front office along with general manager Theo Epstein have made waves in this year's edition of the Major League Baseball Winter Meetings. Looking to fill certain holes within the youthfully talented roster, Theo Epstein made it clear going in to the 2015 Winter Meetings in Nashville, TN that the Cubs were going to make a few additions that would fill the holes that plagued the team throughout their widely successful 2015 campaign. The needs that needed to be addressed were a veteran mid rotation starter, a second baseman who is solid defensively, and one more power bat to compliment superstars Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant. 

Throughout the season, every Anthony Rizzo home run was complimented by a hashtag used from Cubs fans named #RizzOnMe. They seemed to use it often as Rizzo launches just 1 of his 31 home runs

Through a very fast discussion between Cubs manger Joe Maddon and Theo Epstein, right before the Winter Meetings kicked off in Tennessee, the first wave of moves were already set to take center stage for the Cubbies. On December 4th, the Cubs reached a 2-year, $32 million agreement with 37-yeard old and 2X World Series Champion John Lackey. With over 1,900 strikeouts to his name and a career ERA of 3.92 , Lackey fit the mid-rotation veteran qualifications Maddon and pitching coach Chris Bosio were seeking. 

GM Theo Epstein and Manager Joe maddon have transformed the Cubs into a proven winner

A few days after the signing of John Lackey, Joe Maddon and Theo Epstein would fly out to Nashville to take part in the 2015 Winter meetings. Epstein was now actively searching for that solid defensive piece the Cubs so desperately needed after a season of blunders from former infielder Starlin Castro. On December 9th, just five days after the Lackey signing, it was announced that the Cubs had reached an agreement with veteran second baseman Ben Zobrist. Zobrist signed a 4-year, $56 million contract to play for the north siders. At this point that would leave just one spot on the Cubbies' offseason agenda unchecked, and that was a power bat that could make an impact everyday in the lineup and out on the field with his defense. With Jorge Soler and Kyle Schwarber hitting for just 26 home runs combined during the 2015 sesason, there was an obvious need for one more power bat within their young lineup. 

With many options on the market in terms of power bats with free agents Yoenis Cespedes, Jason Hayward, Chris Davis, and Co. Theo Epstein was barred with plenty of options in term of filling the home run bat need for the Cubs. Within in just 2 days of the signing of Ben Zobrist and just a week after the signing of John Lackey, it was announced (via John Heyman) that the Cubs had reached an agreement with superstar free agent and outfielder Jason Hayward for a bargain of a price that will total less than $200 million. Last season Hayward hit 13 home runs, 60 RBI's, with a .439 slugging percentage, and a .293 batting average. At the young age of 26-years old, Hayward will most likely sign his contract with the Cubs for a period exceeding 5 years or more. With the Winter Meetings coming to an end, the Cubs have now added 3 former all-stars to their already talented team that is coming off a 97-win regular season, including a trip to the National League Championship Series. 

Looking at next year's potential lineup for the Cubs, I get queezy when i realize that this team will not only be dangerous again now, but also for many years to come. 

PROJECTED 2016 STARTING LINEUP:

With a team that hit for 171 combined home runs with 657 RBI's, expect for the Cubs' lineup to get that much more better with the addition of Zobrist and Hayward. Also don't forget the team's pitching rotation counters their young and powerful lineup. Along with 2015 Cy Young Award winner Jake Arrieta (1.77 ERA), John Lackey and Jon Lester will reunite as they were once former teammates during their tenures with the Boston Red Sox. 

Theo Epstein and the Ricketts family have spent countless time and effort into building the Cubs roster into one powerful unit. With the offseason additions of Lackey, Zobrist, and Hayward, the front office has shown that they want to take the team to heights unseen since 1908, the Cubs' last World Series title. With familiarity in turning teams around (see 2008 Tampa Bay Rays team), manager Joe Maddon has turned the Cubs into a consistent team for not only in the National League, but all of baseball with his sound fundamental managerial style, and postseason experience. In just one year Maddon took the Cubs from 73 wins to 97, and the franchise's first NLCS appearance since 2003. With things on the up and up for this Cubs team and franchise, validated belief has been restored on the north side of Chicago. Fresh off their NLCS appearance, the 2016 season looks even more promising for the north siders as this Cubs team doesn't just look "good" anymore...they look dangerous. Newly signed Ben Zobrist said in his press conference, “We've got to win a championship and bring a World Series trophy back to Chicago." 

As of right now, the Cubs look completely poised to take over as the new force in the National League, and ultimately claim the World Series title. 

MLB

Chicago Cubs

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Written by

Quintin-Hoover

The WIDE Right Chronicles

College Football, MLB, and White Sox baseball.

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