By Bradford Doolittle and Luke Knox

The Chronology

How did Epstein build a 100-win team? He started with a few successful trades (hello, Anthony Rizzo!). A few shrewd draft picks followed, and then a handful of free agents were the final pieces. After Epstein traded for Rizzo, he pulled off what would become hugely one-sided deals for pitchers Kyle Hendricks and Jake Arrieta. The Cubs nabbed right-hander Hector Rondon and drafted Kris Bryant around the same time, and then the club became a prime free-agent destination -- veterans Jon Lester, John Lackey, Ben Zobrist and Jason Heyward were signed over the past two years.

Circles sized by Wins Above Replacement with Cubs

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Note: Chris Coghlan and Jason Hammel were traded separately to the Oakland Athletics, but Epstein reacquired both. WAR totals reflect all stints with the Cubs.