Chicago Cubs

Coming into the offseason, it seemed like the Cubs were building momentum. They were seemingly connected to every major free agent, and fans were starting to get hyped about what potential stars they could sign. However, the team hasn't made any significant moves yet as the MLB's winter meetings get ready to begin.

Though the Chicago Cubs failed to sign free-agent catcher Russell Martin last week, it doesn’t mean the team won’t have other intriguing options moving forward.

Even though they missed out on catcher Russell Martin in free agency, the Chicago Cubs still have plenty of targets left in play. Most free agents they currently have an interest in would be more of role players, with the exception of ace Jon Lester. Any other elite pitching they pursue this offseason could be in the form of a trade.

In only about three years, Theo Epstein has built the Chicago Cubs farm system into one of the game’s best.  Kris Bryant, Addison Russell, Javier Baez and Jorge Soler are four of the most exciting young prospects in the league, and 28-year-old right-hander Jake Arrieta emerged on the scene as a potential ace with a sterling year in 2014.

The Cubs' future was on display late last summer with franchise cornerstones Anthony Rizzo and Starlin Castro playing on the same field as highly regarded prospects such as Javier Baez, Jorge Soler and Arismendy Alcantara.

Suffice it to say, the future is bright on the North Side of Chicago.

Linked to major free agents this offseason like Jon Lester and Russell Martin, the Chicago Cubs are expected to make a big splash this winter in one way or another. Signing free agents is surely a way to improve the team quickly, but teams can also do that via trade.

You'll know President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein finally has the Chicago Cubs ready to make a run at ending their 106-year championship drought when he strikes a deal with an old associate of his: Jon Lester.

Granted, we're technically in the realm of "if" rather than "when." The Cubs aren't any more assured to sign the 30-year-old left-hander than any other club eyeing him in free agency.

The Chicago Cubs got their man and their manager.

With one mantra during his introductory press conference on Monday as the new manager of the Chicago Cubs, Joe Maddon aptly summed up why he's the perfect man to lead a talented young team to prominence.    

"Don't ever permit the pressure to exceed the pleasure," Maddon said on MLB Network. "That's on the top of my lineup card every night."       

The Chicago Cubs entered the 2014 season with a very strong farm system and somehow ended the year with an even stronger one. Several key prospects have found their way to the major leagues this season, but a lot of top-level talent still remains in the farm system.