After four consecutive years of under .500 baseball, the Cubs added another season to that list. They finished the 73-89; their first season with less than 90 losses since 2010. The 2014 season marked vast improvement in the Cubs hitting development, as First Baseman Anthony Rizzo had a superstar-caliber season at the plate, and shortstop Starlin Castro finally posted another All-Star worthy season.

“This year he [Rizzo] intentionally discovered what it means to be a leader and embrace it. And he executed very well,” said President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstien.

On July 4th, with the Cubs being 11.5 games out of first place in the National League Central Division, they decided to trade the two aces of their pitching staff, Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel, to the Oakland Athletics for top shortstop prospect Addison Russell, Pitcher Dan Strailey, outfielder Billy McKinney, and a player later to be named.

“We went through this process that we hope this is our last year we’ll be obvious sellers at the deadline,” Epstien said. “Nothing would make us happier than aggressively adding to the big league team and enhancing chances for a World Series.”

Ultimately, next season seems to be the first season the Cubs will be contenders during the Epstien Era.

“We’re going to be competing while developing young talent,” Epstien said. “It isn’t easy but it’s exciting.