There have been a number of changes since Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer took over the Cubs’ front office in October of 2011. Familiar faces like Alfonso Soriano, Geovany Soto, Ryan Dempster, Matt Garza, and Andrew Cashner have all been traded as part of the rebuilding process. With the latest deal, which sent right-handers Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel to the Athletics for a package including Addison Russell, Billy McKinney and Dan Straily, Darwin Barney is feeling a little lonely in the Cubs’ clubhouse these days:
Darwin Barney on all the turnover in #Cubs clubhouse: "My wife's the only one left from 2011."
— Patrick Mooney (@PJ_Mooney) July 5, 2014
Barney, now the longest-tenured player on the Cubs, isn’t far off. Starlin Castro, Welington Castillo, and James Russell are the only other remaining players from the 2011 team. We’re sure to see more changes soon.