Kyle Schwarber's Departure Marks the End of the Golden Age of Cubs Baseball

Theo Epstein's departure a year ahead of schedule was a sign of the times. The Chicago Cubs that this generation fell in love with are beginning to fall apart. Kyle Schwarberis the latest domino to fall after being non-tendered by the club, making him a free agent after bursting into Cubs lore in dramatic fashion. He fought back from a torn ACL to make a miraculous return to play in the World Series where he provided the lead-off single in the top of the 10th inning in World Series Game 7. Of course, that set the stage for the club's first world championship in 108 years. He's now gone and soon, the current roster won't resemble the Golden Age of Cubs Baseball any longer.

Albert Almora, the man who pinch ran for Schwarber in that inning and tagged up to second base on a deep fly ball and scored the team's go-ahead run in that game, was also not offered a contract meaning his time with the club has come to an end. The 2016 World Series was such a different time that one of the team's catchers, David Ross, is now its manager. Willson Contrerasis still one of the top catchers in baseball, but could easily be a trade chip, perhaps as early as this offseason. Miguel Monteroprovided some of the most dramatic moments of the 2016 postseason, including an RBI single which proved decisive in Game 7 of the World Series as the Cubs hung on, 8-7.

Addison Russellfell out of favor thanks to his own disgusting off-field behavior and eye-popping drop-off on it. The once-future shortstop of the organization was quickly jettisoned to the Korean Baseball Organization. It is very likely that the man who recorded the game-winning assist in Game 7 will be shipped off this offseason. Kris Bryantmay very well have already taken his last at bat in a Cubs uniform.

If two holdovers from the team's Golden Age are going to hang around long term, it's going to beJavier BaezandAnthony Rizzo. For years, Baez has been the team's best player, and Rizzo has been the team's unofficial captain. Both feel like Cubs lifers, but the back half of their careers are unlikely to be as exciting as the front half.

Dexter Fowlerwas a hero of World Series Game 7 and came back to Chicago to provide the championship he ended up being an integral part of. Now, he plays for the rival St. Louis Cardinals. Chris Coghlanwas a nice staple piece andJorge Solerhas turned into an elite power threat for the Kansas City Royals. The 2016 World Series MVP, Ben Zobrist, is likely out of the league for good. If the Cubs andJon Lesterdon't agree to a short-term deal this offseason, Kyle Hendrickswill be the only remaining holdover from the 2016 playoff starting rotation. The entire bullpen is gone.

All told, the Cubs are probably looking at five players on their 2021 roster that were around in 2016. Ross on the manager's bench gives them six out of 25. They're relics of a bygone era, a could-be dynasty that never was. For many, that would be relatively disappointing. But for Cubs fans, one was all that they needed...at least for now. Nobody will ever forget the 25 men who helped deliver Chicago their historic championship.

But with Schwarber's departure this offseason, the writing is even more clearly on the wall: the Golden Age of Cubs Baseball is over and we may be in for another long stretch of Cubs baseball. It's nothing new to those on the North Side of Chicago, but after consistent success over the better part of a decade, it's going to be a painful reality to re-acclimate to.