And the Chicago Cubs win the 2016 World Series!

Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline

The Cubs kept the train on the tracks, proving once again that this Cubs team is different. It was time for the trade season. The Cubs would kick off their trade season almost two weeks before the deadline, acquiring Mike Montgomery from the Mariners in exchange for top prospect Dan Vogelbach who was blocked by Anthony Rizzo, and pitcher Paul Blackburn.

Montgomery would pitch in 17 games, making five starts with a 2.82 ERA, but a 4.74 FIP. In 38 1/3 innings, he struck out 38 but walked 20. This was only Montgomery’s first full year in the Major Leagues, so growing pains could be expected.

One crack that slowly started to show was the back of the bullpen. Hector Rondon was awful good, but an elite closer would look better. The Yankees made their new acquisition Aroldis Chapman available, and the Cubs would pounce.

On July 25, six days before the deadline, the Cubs traded for Chapman, giving up a king’s ransom in return. Top prospect Gleyber Torres, Billy McKinney, Rashad Crawford, and Adam Warren was thrown in to go back to his original stomping grounds.

Chapman, like most of the 2016 team, joined the domination of opponents. In 28 appearances, Chapman would pitch to a 1.01 ERA with 16 saves. He posted a 0.82 FIP, with 46 strikeouts in just 26 2/3 innings.

These two would prove to be pivotal not only during the rest of the regular season but during the playoff run as well….sometimes for different reasons. The Cubs would lead wire to wire from Opening Day, win 100 games, and clinch home field throughout the National League playoffs. 103-58-1 ended up being the final record. Could the Cubs finally break through and lift the cloud that has been hanging over the franchise for so many years? If not now, when?