Jed Hoyer taking a page out of the 1984 Chicago Cubs' playbook

While in recent years, we've heard a lot about the Chicago Cubs' farm system, the 1984 Cubs were built almost entirely by trade. Then Cubs' GM, Dallas Green, had previously been with the Phillies organization. And it showed in the construction of the 1984 team. The 1984 Cubs were almost like the Phillies West.

Let's take a quick look back.

Start with a foundational superstar

Ryne Sandberg was the focal point of the 1984 team and was named the NL MVP that season. Sandberg came to the Cubs, along with shortstop Larry Bowa in exchange for Iván de Jesús. While de Jesús was a pretty good shortstop, that deal is one of the best, if not the best trade in Cubs' history. So, with the left side of the infield set, we'll move on.

On March 27, 1984, the Cubs picked up outfielders Gary Matthews and Bob Denier for pitcher Bill Campbell and first baseman/ left fielder Mike Diaz. Gary Matthews, aka Sarge, led the NL with an OBP of .410. Bob Denier gave the Cubs gold glove defense in center field and stole 45 bases. So, one trade, two excellent outfielders. But there's more.

On December 8, 1981, the Cubs sent pitcher Mike Krukow to the Phillies for pitchers Dan Larsen and Dickie Noles, along with outfielder Keith Moreland. Moreland was the regular right fielder for the1984 Cubs team. So that's five starters from the 1984 Cubs' division championship team who were acquired from the Phillies.

On to the corner infielders

First baseman, Leon "Bull" Durham was picked up in a trade with the Cardinals for Bruce Sutter. While that might not be the greatest trade in Cubs' history, Durham had a nice run with the Cubs during the 80s, driving in 96 runs in 1984

Third baseman Ron Cey was picked up in a trade with the Dodgers for Vance Lovelace and Dan Cataline. Cey accounted for 25 home runs and 97 RBIs in 1984. Another nice pickup by Dallas Green.

The only home-grown product among the starting eight for the Cubs was catcher, Jody Davis.

The pitching staff was also mostly imported

The big gun in the Cubs' rotation was Rick Sutcliffe, who was picked up during the season in a trade with the Indians. Rick Sutcliffe went 16-1 for the Cubs. The Cubs sent Joe Carter and Mel Hall to the Indians in exchange for Sutcliffe. Both were good players, but Sutcliffe was well worth it.

Steve Trout was another starting pitcher whom the Cubs traded for. Trout was picked up in a trade with the White Sox for a package of players highlighted by Scott Fletcher and Dick Tidrow. Trout went 13-7 for the 1984 Cubs.

The other two primary starting pitchers for the 1984 Cubs were also acquired in trades. Dennis Eckersley came over from the Red Sox for Bill Buckner, while Scott Sanderson was picked up from the Expos in a three-way deal that saw the Cubs sending Carmelo Martinez to the Padres.

While Dallas Green was unable to sustain his success as the Cubs' GM, there was a period of time where he seemed to make, as stated in the title of that Tom Cruise movie, All the Right Moves.