Chicago Cubs: Previewing the 2016 season
What will happen with the 2016 Chicago Cubs?
So, with the young players gaining experience last season, and the team adding quality veterans to the roster, how will the 2016 Chicago Cubs season turn out?
On paper, the Cubs have a strong enough team to realistically compete for the World Series. Too bad championships are not won on paper.
With St. Louis being weakened, the National League Central is open. The Chicago Cubs will step in and wrestle the division title away from their grasp.
The Cubs will go 100-62 and have the best record in baseball. They will feast on the very bad Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers teams who are already looking forward to the offseason. There are also some other National League teams that have no hopes of going anywhere in 2016.
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The race to represent the National League in the World Series will come down between the Cubs and the San Francisco Giants. They will battle it out not only on the field but also in the front office.
The Cubs will probably make some changes by the July 31st trade deadline. They have pieces to work with, though, so they may have an advantage over other teams, including the Giants.
The Cubs still have a deep minor league system. Even with the number of prospects making the jump to the major league level, the team still has plenty of prospects who are almost ready for prime time. Their minor league system is ranked fourth, so there may be moves that can be made.
Of course, we cannot expect Epstein and company to sell off the farm to win this year. The front office will do the work to find the right deal that does not break the bank.
Next: Chicago Cubs: Why Is This Year Any Different?
Last year I said we might be seeing the start of a new era at Wrigley Field. This year, we will see the continuation of last year’s experience, and hopefully some Chicago Cubs celebrations that we have not seen in over a century.