Wait until Next Year.
The wait has been a long, long time.
The wait may almost be over, some say.
Some say, that the Cubs pipeline of prospects will be this century's gold rush.
Some say, that the Cubs are only a few pitchers away from being truly competitive.
Some say, that is what the team says every year.
No one truly knows what the time line for the Plan is, but we can make an educated guess on what the front office and the fans would like to see in 2015:
An infield of the "core" players:
3B: Bryant
SS: Castro
2B: Baez
1B: Rizzo
C: Castillo
An outfield infused with new young players:
CF: Alcantara
RF: Soler
More likely, Bryant will wind up in LF, Baez at 3B, and Alcantara at 2B. That will still leave hole in CF which Almora is supposed to fill by 2017. Or, by 2016, Baez stays at second, with Russell playing third with Alcantara still in CF.
It seems the starting rotation is not going to land an "ace" free agent due to the prohibitive cost and years in such a deal. The plan has been to cut down the payroll, not spend like a drunken sailor.
The rotation seems to be falling into this shape for 2015:
1. Arrieta
2. Hendricks
3. T. Wood
4. E. Jackson
5. Doubront or J. Turner (with the other becoming a long reliever/spot starter).
It is not an overpowering rotation. However, collectively it is fairly cheap.
So despite all the expected roster churn, the 2015 Cubs don't seem to be that much different than the current 2014 club.
