(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Rather than sell low on Kris Bryant and Javier Baez and tear the roster down to the studs last winter, Chicago Cubs president Jed Hoyer took a wait-and-see approach, holding onto the core and, instead, trading ace right-hander Yu Darvish to the San Diego Padres.
That sent the signal the team was likely destined for a trade deadline selling spree. Instead, the Cubs have defied expectations and enter play Saturday nine games above .500 after an emotional win over the rival Cardinals on Friday afternoon in front of a packed Wrigley Field.