Chicago Cubs News: Will the 2020 season be the ‘Last Dance?’

With the trade deadline approaching and players nearing the end of team-friendly contracts, the days of the Chicago Cubs core may be near an end.

Since taking over as the President of Baseball Operations after the 2011 season, Theo Epstein quickly transformed the Chicago Cubs’ ancient farm system into one of the best talent pools in baseball. Some fans might remember the names of Corey Patterson, Jason Dubois, Felix Pie, Brett Jackson, the list goes on. If you don’t recognize those players, you’re not alone, but they once held the hope of carrying the franchise.

Thankfully, Epstein and GM Jed Hoyer hit big on some transactions and draft picks during the rebuild, except for Javier Baez, who was drafted by former GM Jim Hendry in his final season with the team. Thanks, Jim.

These moves quickly turned the Cubs into a contender and, as you probably know–2016 World Series Champions. One-by-one, we saw the likes of Anthony Rizzo, Baez, Kris Bryant, Addison Russell, Albert Almora, Kyle Schwarber, and Willson Contreras make their Cubs debuts and establish themselves as the future of the team.