Are you seriously saying that it could be easier to move from a 60 win team to contender than it would be an 80 win team to contender in one offseason? I don't want to put words in MR's mouth, but if the Cubs were to trade all of the remaining guys with expiring contracts (Dempster, Byrd, etc.) for top prospects that will spend 2012 in AAA and 2013 in MLB, then it's pretty easy to get to the conclusion that the team is worse off in 2012 but better off in 2013. those are going to be some really good trades. They don't have to be that good. The guys with expiring contracts will give the Cubs a combined zero WAR in 2013, after they're gone. I think his problem was in your thinking that trading "Dempster, Byrd, etc." will result in top prospects playing in MLB next year.