That is four hitters...nice, but not a powerhouse core. Heck that core isn't even helping their offense be great right now. They just went and got another hitter because they have struggled offensively. Darvish just ended a terrible year with an injury, Lester is getting really old, Hendricks doesn't appear to be super special anymore, Jose Quintana doesn't seem to be the ace the were hoping for...quite far from it. Their rotation is an ticking time bomb, ready to blow up. Next year it will technically be led by 35 year old Jon Lester. I am waiting for a 2018 Nationals type disappointment in the next few years. The Cubs have had a disaster season with injuries and missed Bryant for most of the year. Yet they are 3rd in runs scored and 8 out of being the top scoring team in the National League, so yes. I guess that core does make them a power house. Their pitching is **** and they have the best record in the NL. There is no sense pretending like a recent streak is the real story of the Cubs offense. Most of us are realistic, but this is a board of Brewer fans, so showing up here as a Cub fan to defend them every time someone here bashes the Cubs is probably fighting a losing battle. I give you credit for not resorting to trollish behavior, though.