Are the Cubs the NL’s dark horse?

2016 was one of the most historic seasons for the Cubs and all of baseball after they broke their 108-year drought. But since the 2016 world series, the Cubs haven't had the same season. Since 2016 the Cubs have let a lot of their core pieces go from that winning team.  Anthony Rizzo to the Yankees, Kris Bryant to the Giants then a long-term contract with the Rockies, and then Javier Baez to the Detroit Tigers. After losing their core the Cubs were on an undecided path, fans didn't know what was going to happen after missing the playoffs a couple of years after winning their world series ring. 

This past season the Cubs were making some moves, by signing Cody Bellinger who won MVP in 2019 for a one-year, $17.5 million contract. Belienger did struggle with the Dodgers since his MVP season hitting about 231 throughout the regular seasons and also struggling throughout the postseason. The Cubs also landed Dansby Swanson who won the world series in 2021 with the Atlanta Braves. Dansby signed a seven-year, $177 million deal with the Cubs, ending the 2022 season hitting .277 with the Braves. The Cubs also came to an agreement with Nico Hoerner on a three-year, $35 million contract extension. This gives the Cubs a solid middle between Swanson and Hoerner. They also extended Outfielder Ian Hap to 3 years 61 million dollars. The Cubs also picked up Eric Hosmer which was a 1 year  $720,000 contract with the Chicago Cubs, including $720,000 guaranteed. Trey Mancini was also a massive pickup for the Cubs giving him a $14 million, two-year contract ending last year with a .268 batting average. The Cubs are starting to develop a core team once again as they had in 2016. But the question is how long until the Cubs come home with another ring?