Let’s take a look back at the Chicago Cubs Opening Day lineup, as they faced the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 1, 2021. It’s…not a great look for the front office.
The Cubs were always in sell mode. Heck, they would’ve traded pretty much any member of their core for the right price.
Come the trade deadline, they were forced to do so, albeit probably not for the return they originally sought. Nonetheless, few saw the 2016 World Series team suffering this kind of fate. But the 2021 trade deadline was a reckoning of sorts, with Jed Hoyer playing the role of lead negotiator.
Chicago’s Opening Day lineup this season was filled with hope. Just look at all these big names, the potential All-Stars at their respective positions.
Oh, what could have been.
For about half the season, the Cubs played up to par, until a season-long losing streak did them in. Hoyer took that as a sign to blow up the core, and nuke them he did.
Cubs lineup virtually unrecognizable compared to Opening Day
In comparison, here is the starting 9 the Cubs are rolling out on Thursday night against the Phillies.
What in God’s name?
Look, the Cubs’ farm system will surely improve in due time and, by acquiring the likes of Nick Madrigal from the rival White Sox, they have some MLB-ready talent at prime positions. By no means will this team be terrible.
But, it’s a far cry from what Cubs fans expected entering the season. That alone is reason to remiss.
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