Playing competitively in individual games and competing for a World Series title aren't quite the same thing. Really?? Tell me more. Just because they aren't being blown out of games doesn't mean they are going to be contenders for a division or world series title. Sure they have been in most of the games so far, but we are only 9 games into the season. I guess it depends on your definition of competing. I think the Cubs can potentially field a respectable team next year, but not a team that will compete for a championship quite yet. We can compete for a wild card next year...and once you're in the playoffs, well, you know... Obviously we have a small sample size this year...but I like the core of Rizzo-Castro-Baez-Bryant-Olt-Castillo-Shark-Wood-Jackson enough to think a Wild Card is well within reach.