Sounds exactly like something a team with a mediocre roster would do. We have a mediocre roster with a maddening history of getting somewhat worse than mediocre results. True.
So the perfect scenario would be for all the current key players on the Cubs to have season-ending injuries that would have no bearing on their long-term health, then the team can completely tank and can get in position to draft Rodon or Hoffman. Sounds fool-proof. =D>
No one will ever surpass the Marlins as far as non-NL central teams. Although I can see Padres, Giants, or even Mets. I guess it just depends on when you were born.