Chicago Cubs: World Series Expectations for Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer

Slow your roll, Cubs fans. After back-to-back fifth place finishes, the Wrigley Field faithful must be realistic. Zambrano and Soriano are still under contract. Aramis Ramirez has left for free agency. Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer are given the arduous task of rebuilding a franchise that is so enveloped in infamy that it can't even breathe. Tom Ricketts has made the right decision in bringing in Epstein and Hoyer, but as Theo likes to say, "This is a process."

Predicting a title in 2012 is ludicrous. The Vegas bookies will gladly take your money. A realistic Cubs fan would welcome a late-June/early-July battle for second in the NL Central.

The expectations can truly begin in 2013. Regarding 2012 as a rebuilding year is a loose definition; 2012 is a fire sale. Buying out contracts(Soriano, Zambrano), collecting minor league talent(sending Zambrano to Miami while Soriano heads to the Emerald City), and allowing the youngsters to play is the name of the game for next year's Lovable Losers.

Theo Epstein has been a miracle worker before, but it was an ideal situation. Jed Hoyer was involved in that fairytale tenure on Yawkey Way. The Cubs are not a fairytale. They've been a nightmare for 103 years and counting. While dreams of ticker tape parades down Michigan Avenue are an adorable assessment, Cubs Nation must realize that to get better, you must be patient.

Rebuilding the Cubs franchise, much like Rome, will not happen in a day. The Cubs are in disrepair, and as long as realistic expectations are put forth, it'll be one helluva party when it finally happens.