Chicago Cubs: This is the perfect lineup for the 2021 season

MESA, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 18: Javier Baez #9 of the Chicago Cubs poses during Chicago Cubs Photo Day on February 18, 2020 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
MESA, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 18: Javier Baez #9 of the Chicago Cubs poses during Chicago Cubs Photo Day on February 18, 2020 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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Chicago Cubs, Anthony Rizzo
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

The 2021 Chicago Cubs could still be good if they don’t blow up their roster.

The Chicago Cubs are going into 2021 with mixed expectations. As of right now, they have a roster that should be able to compete for a playoff spot. They play in the National League Central where the rest of the teams aren’t exactly world-beaters. They have a chance to win the division again if they make the right moves this offseason. So far, it has been a disappointing offseason for Cubs fans but not one that has completely knocked them down yet.

First of all, Theo Epstein isn’t there anymore. He has left the Cubs with one year left on his deal and has been replaced by Jed Hoyer. We don’t know for sure the direction that Hoyer is going to go but it sounds like he might try and win one more time. Only time will tell but there have already been some moves made that may signify that they are rebuilding.

They decided to tender the contract of Kris Bryant but not Kyle Schwarber or Albert Almora Jr. It isn’t a surprise that Almora is gone because he hasn’t been good in a long time but the Schwarber non-tender was a little bit surprising. He isn’t a superstar or anything but he does make a Major League lineup better if he is in it. Did he ever reach his ceiling? No, probably not. With that said, they are going to miss having his pop.

Does the loss of either of these guys mean that they can’t win? It probably doesn’t because they still have a lot of really good players to construct a lineup. They also might make one more addition if they decide they want to win in 2021. This is the perfect 2021 Chicago Cubs lineup, assuming that they are trying to win the division: