The years 2012 through 2014 weren’t the first Cubs rebuild years. When the Cubs dealt Glenn Beckert, Ron Santo, and Fergie Jenkins after the 1973 season, it was because the team's decision-makers wanted to get competitive, and doubted their presence was required for that to eventually happen. Jerry Morales, Steve Stone, and Bill Madlock chipped in, somewhat, to a bit of contention in the later 1970s, though like their predecessors, they never won anything. This is a look at rebuilds, now and then.
Morales had played in parts of five different seasons for the Padres when added in a three-player swap in November 1973.