Chicago Cubs: Is tanking and rebuilding bad for the game of baseball?

The Chicago Cubs perfectly executed the rebuild strategy running rampant in Major League Baseball. Tank in spectacular fashion – and rake in draft picks.

When Tom Ricketts purchased the Chicago Cubs and Theo Epstein came onboard to run the baseball operations department, we knew things would be different. As fans, we were told to expect a lengthy rebuild – but there would come a time where our beloved ‘Lovable Losers’ would be annual playoff contenders.

That time, of course, came in 2015 – a year earlier than most of us expected. But to reach that point, Chicago unloaded any veterans of value on a perennial basis come July. The sole focus was reloading a farm system that ranked near the bottom of almost every list when Epstein inherited control of the organization.

This tank-and-reload model worked to perfection. Chicago won its first World Series in 108 years and a century of disappointment washed away. One year later, the Houston Astros followed suit. Another year, another proof point for teams languishing near the bottom of the standings.

The latest teams seemingly set to embark upon this journey? The Miami Marlins have blown the model to pieces, trading seemingly every decent name on their roster in a draconian cost-cutting winter. The Pittsburgh Pirates are teetering on the brink, as well. With the Cubs ready to contend for the next four-to-five years and the Brewers making big-time moves, more trades could very well be on the horizon in the Steel City.