Irv wrote: How do you make the World Series last season and decide that there's no pressing need to improve the team to have a better chance this year, instead cheapening out on your best postseason performer and letting him go to a hated rival only to put up the best numbers of his career?
I definitely feel you. I currently look at the Saints in the same light. Although we won the Super Bowl in 2009, the following offseason (and every offseason afterward) was spent letting key players go to other teams in order to pay Drew Brees his small fortune. I sat and watched the likes of Reggie Bush, Darren Sproles, Jimmy Graham, Jonathan Vilma and others be shipped away for lesser talent. It's sorta like what's happening with the New Orleans Pelicans, Saints' owner Tom Benson's NBA team, where you've one star player surrounded by cast-offs. To me, the star player's talent is being wasted.
Not sure what happens with Cespedes, though. I think he's gone (possibly to those same Nationals) if another team offers him a long-term deal. I like New York's pitchers; if healthy, they're one of the league's best. If Yoenis re-signs (which would shock me due to the Mets debt with creditors) and the Mets bring another bat like Justin Turner into the lineup, then they should be in the hunt. It seems to me that every playoff run generates more money, so it's in the best interest of the owners to field a team that's able to make playoff runs. Alas, I hated the Mets during all of my childhood years, cause they were so good and outlaw. But there's no dislike for them at this point.
As for the Cubs, I agree, they're poised to return to the World Series within the next 3 years, if not next season. Heyward, Bryant, Baez, and Schwarber are key batters. Arrieta, Hendricks, and Lester are key pitchers. I'd resign Chapman, but not Fowler. Fowler is solid, but can be replaced via Almora. Like last season, I honestly figured the team was too young this season to reach the World Series, let alone win it. I felt like next season might be the one.