@Cubs: 2021 Is Over. 2022 Is "Hopes and Ifs"

There were, I think, three high points of the season for the 2021 Cubs.  The first was their 19-8 record in May (the best in the NL).  The second was the Davies-Tepera-Chafin-Kimbrel combined no-hitter against the Dodgers on June 24.  Even with a not-so-stellar June, the Cubs were still tied for first place in the NL Central after that win.  But then, disaster hit, in the form of an 11-game losing streak, ultimately resulting in the July 29-30 trade-o-rama.  Which indirectly led to the third high point of the season: The seven-game winning streak by the “New Look” Cubs from August 31 to September 6: two against the Twins, a four-game sweep of the Pirates, and one against the Reds.  Only the Reds were above .500, but seven straight is seven straight, and it was fun to see the guys who have never had a chance in the majors, get a chance to play – and win – at least for a while.¹

But now that the season is over, it’s time to look to 2022.  President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer says the Cubs will be “really active” in the free agent market “in a thoughtful and intelligent way,” whatever that means.  And however much it will help.