Why 2021 is a big year for the Chicago Cubs
Come Friday, you'll be able to cut the tension with a knife on the North Side of the city. It will be Game One of the National League division series, with the Cubs' opponent to be determined in Wednesday's NL wild-card game.
Most Cubs fans understand that this is just the beginning. But once your team is in the playoffs, the last thing anyone wants to hear is any talk about next year or the enormous window that just opened.
A little perspective can't hurt right before the roller coaster takes off. It's conservative to say that the World Series window for the Cubs will be open for the next six to eight years. The brain trust of Theo Epstein, Jed Hoyer, and Jason McLeod have all signed extensions. Epstein's new 5-year deal is reportedly worth $40 million to $50 million.
The year 2021 seems to be a running theme with Theo's team. Not only does Epstein's new contract expire then, but many key components on this team could be gone after that season.
Anthony Rizzo's last team option at $14.5 million is in 2021. The Cubs can pay Jon Lester $25 million or buy him out for $10 million in 2021. The final year of arbitration for Kris Bryant, Addison Russell, Kyle Schwarber and Javier Baez will also be in that 2021 season.
Of course, not all of these young players will test free agency. Some may seek security and let the team buy out some of those arbitration years, as Rizzo did in 2013.
Clearly, they have set themselves up for success in the present and future. Outside of Rizzo, Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks, and Jake Arrieta, the team's core is a few seasons from reaching the typical prime years of a player.
Nothing is guaranteed in baseball, and everyone understands that. The perfect example came when the Cubs lost Schwarber in his second game of the season. How did that injury affect the team? Well, most fans saw their team win over 100 games for the first time in their life, finishing with 103-58 record.
While it's fair to say this front office hasn't drafted and developed pitching yet, the starting rotation has a league best sub-3 ERA. They found a way.
Arrieta and Hendricks came to the Cubs in different trades. Lester, John Lackey, and Jason Hammel arrived at Wrigley Field in free agency. Closer Aroldis Chapman came after a deal around the trade deadline.
So take a deep breath. Try to enjoy the moments. No matter what happens in October, it's a great time to be a Cubs fan.
• Joe Ostrowski is a co-host of the “Hit & Run” baseball show on WSCR 670-AM The Score with Barry Rozner. Follow him on Twitter @JoeO670.