Chicago Cubs: How are replacements faring compared to the former core?

It’s been a little more than three weeks since the Chicago Cubs sent Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Javier Baez packing at one of the most eventful MLB trade deadlines in recent memory.

During that span, Chicago has spiraled downward in the standings – and entered Saturday a staggering 20 1/2 games back of Milwaukee in the NL Central and 13 back in the Wild Card race, as well. In short, the recent golden era of Cubs baseball met a very abrupt, unceremonious end.

Meanwhile, Rizzo and the New York Yankees are scorching hot and making big-time noise in the AL East. The Bronx Bombers, who are 10-1 with the former All-Star first baseman in the starting lineup, hold the top Wild Card spot in the American League – and are just four games back of the first-place Rays.

Kris Bryant has found immediate success with his new club, as well, with the San Francisco Giants maintaining their hold on a highly competitive NL West. The Dodgers are surging, but Bryant is doing everything he can to propel the Giants deep into October. Meanwhile, in Queens, Javier Baez hasn’t brought the life the Mets had hoped for – and is working his way back from injury.

So, at the end of the day, our reader Jim Syoen wanted to know: how do the guys filling the void left by these three stars in Chicago stack up against their predecessors? Let’s dig in and take a look.