Swept by the Miami Marlins at Wrigley Field? It's not how the National League Central champion Chicago Cubs envisioned this year's MLB playoffs.
But that's exactly what happened, as Miami upset Chicago by taking both games of their wild-card series. So what's next for a group that looked like a budding dynasty just a few years ago?
Jesse Rogers takes a look at where the Cubs stand and answers four key questions for the club moving forward to 2021 and beyond.
Chicago Cubs
Notable free agents: Jon Lester (team option), Anthony Rizzo (team option), Jose Quintana, Tyler Chatwood, Jason Kipnis, Jeremy Jeffress
Trade candidates: Kris Bryant, Craig Kimbrel
Extension candidates: Javier Baez
1. What's Kris Bryant's future?
The former MVP and the team that drafted him are headed for a divorce. The only question is if it comes this winter, next July or next offseason when he becomes a free agent. After a stellar start to his Cubs career, things have worked against him, including myriad injuries and his establishment of such a high standard which has been hard to meet or exceed recently. If the team is in dire need of dumping salary, he could be gone sooner rather than later. Otherwise, he could get the first half of 2021 to recoup his value after hitting just .206/.293/.351 this year, and then be moved.
2. What would a Javy Baez extension look like?
It's hard to know how 2020 will affect the numbers, but Baez wasn't far from signing a deal before baseball shut down in March. That wasn't long after Christian Yelich signed for nine years and $215 million with the Milwaukee Brewers. Baez won't get that much, though the Cubs might like a lengthy deal to spread out the annual hit to the competitive-balance tax. Baez's importance on defense should give him a leg up on some of his teammates who are looking for a long term deal as well. His ascension as one of the best shortstops in the game makes up for any offensive liabilities. He's a pitcher's best friend.
3. How do the Cubs fix their offense?
Like stocks, it's best to diversify. The Cubs are slowly doing that with hitters like Nico Hoerner, who should play a more prominent role in 2021. Ian Happ made more contact this year, as well, but the Cubs need more of that and less swing-and-miss. They led the National League in strikeouts in 2020 -- including the most K's with the bases loaded.
4. Is there room for Jon Lester to return?
Actually, the question should be: Is there enough money for a Lester return? The Cubs will undoubtedly turn down a $25 million option on Lester, but that doesn't mean he can't be back for less. The left-hander is stuck on 193 victories after winning just three games this year. Wins may not be a big deal to people these days but they are to the old-school workhorse who still considers 200 innings a yearly goal of his. Earning No. 200 in a Cubs uniform would be the icing on the cake of a fabulous career. Think CC Sabathia near the end of his Yankees run. He signed two one-year deals with them after a longer-term one expired -- before heading off into the sunset.