I don’t think fans are trying to, that feels like a media narrative

Part of it is yes

Objectively, the offense of the current team is better. The base running of the current team is better. However, the 2016 team had guys finish #2 and #3 in Cy Young voting, with their 3rd guy having won the Cy the previous year. And the 2016 team had historically good defense. Different teams.

Also the 2016 team didn’t have a DH

True, but that also made their pitchers look better. Relative to the league, the current Cubs have a better offense than the 2016 Cubs.

Maybe a bit better but those guys were dominating everybody

Cubs offense ranks in MLB (2025): Runs: 1st RBI: 1st AVG: 2nd SB: 3rd wRC+: 3rd SLG: 3rd OBP: 4th 2016 Cubs: Runs: 3rd RBI: 3rd SB: 20th wRC+: 4th SLG: 10th OBP: 2nd

Cubs were dominating everybody because they combined a very good offense (not as good as 2025 Cubs), with the best pitching in baseball and the best defense perhaps ever. The current Cubs are better at offense, better at base running, but much worse at pitching and defense.

Correct

A better comp for the 2016 Cubs is probably the 2025 Tigers, which is why I think the Tigers are the odds on favorites now to win the World Series. Though even the Tigers starting pitching isn't as good as that 2016 rotation

Agreed

I think the offense is. because this might be the best RISP Cubs team i've seen. but yeah everything else no. defense is pretty good but that team was probably the best defensive team of all time.

Need a 1 and 2 starter plus a top of the league bullpen arm to be at that level.

Agreed 100%

Pitching isn't as elite as the 2016 Cubs. Hitting is on par. Managers are very different, i.e., style, personality.

I would say hitting is better and more consistent than 2016. The 2016 relied too much on the homerun ball to score. But the pitching is so much worse. Not only is the current team missing their best two starters, their best two would only be a #4 in that 2016 rotation

Yep