This time 15 years ago, the Chicago Cubs had not forgotten their collapse in the NLCS the month prior. It loomed large in everyone’s minds – fans, players and front office personnel alike. Cubs general manager Jim Hendry was not going to let this window get away from him. Instead, he was going to work to improve the team for 2004. He turned to the team that beat the Cubs in the playoffs, the Florida Marlins to add more thump to the lineup.
On Nov. 25, 2003, the Cubs traded Hee-Seop Choi and Mike Nannini to the Marlins for first baseman Derrek Lee.