What the Chicago Cubs lineup looked like when Aaron Rodgers made his first NFL Start

Reports are swirling that the New York Jets and Green Bay Packers are finalizing a trade involving quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers was drafted by the Packers in 2005, and he served as Brett Favre's backup until 2008 when Favre retired. The man has effectively been a thorn in Chicago's side ever since, compiling a 25-5 regular season record against the Chicago Bears. When he became the starter in 2008, the Chicago Cubs fielded one of their best teams of the 21st century.

Even though they did not go far in the playoffs that year, The Cubs played a season worthy of a divisional championship and 97 wins. This was also the best team fielded by the Cubs before a complete rebuild just a couple of years later, and they did not return to greatness again until 2015. Let's look at who was in the Cubs' starting lineup on September 7, 2008, the day before Aaron Rodgers started his first of many games for the Packers.

Catcher: Geovany Soto

2008 was Geovany Soto's first full season in a Cub uniform, and he put up an outstanding campaign by making the All-Star team and winning the National League Rookie of the Year award. Soto had an impressive slash line of .285/.364/.868 while setting career highs in home runs (23), RBIs (86), doubles (35), and hits (141). This was the best season of Soto's career at the plate and he played with the Cubs until 2012 when he was traded for Jake Brigham.

First Base: Derrek Lee

Derrek Lee was rock solid in the Cubs lineup for several years, providing great power and on-base ability. After helping knock the Cubs out of the NLCS in 2003 during the infamous Bartman ball incident, Lee was traded to the Cubs in exchange for Hee-seop Choi in the 2004 offseason. 2008 saw Lee rip 20 home runs and drive in 90 while slashing an impressive .291/.361/.823. Lee won two gold gloves and made two All-Star teams with the North side. He was traded to the Braves in 2010 at the end of his contract.