Fansided

Each MLB team’s season success or failure?

By Nathaniel Reeves

Nov 1, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Kansas City Royals center fielder Jarrod Dyson shows off the Commissioners Trophy to fans after defeating the New York Mets in game five of the World Series at Citi Field. The Royals win the World Series four games to one. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Kansas City Royals center fielder Jarrod Dyson shows off the Commissioners Trophy to fans after defeating the New York Mets in game five of the World Series at Citi Field. The Royals win the World Series four games to one. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Chicago Cubs

Oct 12, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Fans hold up W towels and flags after game three of the NLDS between the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 12, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Fans hold up W towels and flags after game three of the NLDS between the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

97-65, second NL Wild Card, lost in NLCS

With new manager Joe Maddon and some extremely promising young talent, the Cubs were expected to take a step forward in 2015 while maybe hanging around in the NL Wild Card race. They did much more than that in a season that was extremely encouraging despite a tough ending.

Chicago posted the third best record in the Majors behind two teams from its own division, won the NL Wild Card Game and took down the mighty St. Louis Cardinals in the NLDS. Many of the young players are already producing at a high level, a good mix of veterans will be around for 2016, and Theo Epstein has very few weaknesses to address this offseason.

A few Cubs exceeded expectations in 2015, with none being more important than Jake Arrieta. After a breakout 2014 season, Arrieta took it to historic levels this season, posting a 1.77 ERA (2.35 FIP) according to FanGraphs. With Jon Lester under contract until 2020, the Cubs should have a dominant top of the rotation for years to come.

Kris Bryant posted 6.5 WAR per FanGraphs in his debut season, Anthony Rizzo played like an MVP candidate, and Kyle Schwarber showed tremendous power after being called up. More young talent is on the way, and Epstein has a high payroll to play with should he want to make more immediate improvements.

Being swept by the Mets in the NLCS was a tough ending for a team that was good enough to win a title, but 2015 was undeniably successful for Chicago. The Cubs will be back in playoff contention 2016 and beyond.

Success. The Cubs arrived ahead of schedule and may be positioned better for the future than any other team.

Next: Chicago White Sox

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