Talk about a power outage. The Cubs were second in the league in 0 or 1 run games. The only team with more 0 or 1 run games was the O's. Somehow The Cubs managed 95 wins while the O's managed 115 losses. On the plus side they did make the playoffs for the 4th consecutive year, which is a franchise record!
The season was marred by injury (Darvish, Morrow, Bryant) and controversy (Murphy, Russell, and A-Rod / Darvish). So, being completely honest, I'm glad it is over.
I'm pretty sure that Murphy is already gone, and Addison Russell has to go. I would imagine that if he ever takes the field in a Cubs jersey again, he will be greeted by boos. He is kind of a pariah. Maybe a city with less press would be better for him, but in Chicago he is being torn to shreds every single day. I don't know if smaller markets have to deal with this kind of shit, but whenever a Cub steps out of line (even retroactively - Murphy & Chapman) it is all anyone on sports radio wants to talk about.
At the end of the day it is The Ricketts' team and they will do what they think makes the most business sense.
The core of the Cubs isn't progressing like most fans / experts thought they would. Rizzo has been a model of consistency, and Baez took a huge step forward, but Contreras, Schwarber, Happ, Russell and Bryant all took steps backwards.
The Cubs did not offer Joe Maddon an extension, so he will be coaching in 19 as a lame duck, which might hurt their ability to sign the big name free agents.
Good grief, what a season.
... So this is what being entitled feels like.

Well, here we are, Mr. Pilgrim, trapped in the amber of this moment. There is no why.
~4~