The Cubs finished with a losing record last year for the first time since 2014. Over this span, Chicago made five postseason appearances, highlighted by their World Series title in 2016. Their other two championships came in 1907 and 1908. The Cubs lost eight times in the World Series, all coming before 1946.
Chicago slipped to 27th in ERA (4.87). Their bullpen picked up 30 wins, 31 losses and 40 saves with a 4.39 ERA (21st). They scored 705 runs (21st), hit 210 home runs (11th) and stole 86 bases (10th).
The top players lost to free agency were SP Zach Davies, RB Rex Brothers (MIL) and C Robinson Chirinos. In addition, the Cubs signed SP Marcus Stroman, OF Clint Frazier and C Yan Gomes. Chicago acquired OF Harold Ramirez in a minor deal with Cleveland. Finally, they took a flier on SP Wade Miley, who the Reds waived in November.
