The Cubs won the most games they had in a single season (97) since 1945. With it being the 100th anniversary of the last World Series win, it was hoped... but nope, all that got the team was a division series sweep at the hands of the Dodgers.
And only a handful of trades were made.
January 5: Acquired Corey Coles and Ryan Meyers from the Mets for Angel Pagan
Pagan had been a decent part-time player for the Cubs in 2006 and 2007, but he immediately became the starting center fielder in New York, and eventually played on two postseason teams in San Francisco, winning a World Series ring in 2012 (he got one in 2014 too, but injuries kept him out of the postseason that year).