The Cubs started this year terribly on the field. They were 13-27 on May 16, already 13 games out of first place and their season essentially over.
So they sold off again at the deadline, and wound up going 60-62 the rest of the year, and 28-27 after August 1, perhaps presaging their excellent 2015.
They were quiet on the trade front until midseason.
July 5: Acquired Addison Russell, Billy McKinney and Dan Straily from the Athletics for Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel
This trade produced one of the weirdest All-Star appearances ever. Samardzija had been named a National League All-Star only days before the deal after going 7-2 with a 2.