Chicago Cubs: Grading the offseason moves
By Paul Steeno
15 Sep 21, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo (44), third baseman Kris Bryant (17), relief pitcher Travis Wood (37) and second baseman Addison Russell (22) celebrate after defeating the Milwaukee Brewers 9-5 at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports
Overall Grade: A
The Cubs addressed a lot of needs this offseason. They filled a gap in center field and at the leadoff position while adding high on-base percentage hitters to a lineup that led the MLB in strikeouts in 2015.
Furthermore, they added depth to the middle of the starting rotation and further solidified an already formidable bullpen. Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer set out to eliminate the Cubs weaknesses and, on paper at least, they accomplished this goal.
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World Series Championships aren’t won on paper, however. A lot could go wrong; the Cubs aren’t a shoo-in to win next year. They have a formidable lineup from top to bottom, but they need to live up to its potential for the Cubs to win their first World Series Championship since 1908.