So, I realize this is simplistic but go back to the tanking drawing board of 2010-2013. Those awful years netted Javier Baez, Kris Bryant, Ian Happ and Kyle Schwarber. Tear it down to build it back up. The White Sox have stunk for several years and now have some really good young talent.
This Cubs team is going nowhere. Blow it up.
Not sure how much of an option that is going to be...
They could move on from Happ (no trade clause), Imanaga, Tallion, and Suzuki, as they are all UFA at the end of the season. All would garner some level of interest from contenders, if they are assumed to be healthy.
Might be able to get something for Conforto, who has been decent off the bench. Hoby Milner might get you a lottery ticket type prospect.
The infield is locked up and expensive for at least 3 more years, as is PCA. (who we wouldn't want to trade anyway) Bregman and Hoerner have full no trade clauses.
The offense has been bad with RISP, but overall above average.
I think the real and obvious issue is that we just haven't pitched well enough. We are #1 in HR allowed, and bottom 3rd in just about any category that matters. When you have the number of injuries we've had, it's just really hard to be above average when guys who were your contingency plans in the offseason have more starts than the guys you penciled in. It's also the first year in a awhile that Jed hasn't been able to cobble together a decent bullpen.
These issues can be fixed in a single off-season w/o a full rebuild, especially if our "plan A" starters are healthy again at some point.
