The 2011 Chicago Cubs posted their second straight fifth place finish in the NL Central. The Cubs were not devoid of talent and the roster was as healthy as one could expect. The team did not have upper echelon players mind you but had players that no less could contribute. It seems like the team underachieved to an extent in 2011 (at least it shouldn’t have been 20 games below .500 (71-91)). The arrival of new President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein and GM Jed Hoyer brings a ton of optimism considering the work they have done in the past (*). They are charged with replicating the job they did in Boston and bring the Cubs its first World Series since 1908 (**). Continue reading →