Fansided

5 teams that won the MLB offseason

By Nathaniel Reeves

February 25, 2015; Mesa, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein during a spring training workout at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
February 25, 2015; Mesa, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein during a spring training workout at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 30, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jason Heyward (22) rounds the bases after hitting a grand slam home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the third inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 30, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jason Heyward (22) rounds the bases after hitting a grand slam home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the third inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Chicago Cubs

Even with a few key free agents yet to sign, it’s difficult to imagine anybody but the Cubs emerging as the clear winner of the MLB offseason.

The Cubs arrived a year ahead of schedule last season with a 97-win season and advanced all the way to the NLCS. With a terrific young core, Chicago figured to be a World Series contender next season and beyond even if it stood pat this offseason.

All Theo Epstein and company did was add two of the top position players available in Heyward and Ben Zobrist to that core. Heyward is just 26 years old and will improve Chicago’s poor outfield defense, while the versatile Zobrist could help any team and will be reunited with former manager Joe Maddon.

Those two moves almost overshadowed the fact that the Cubs added John Lackey, who should be a strong No. 3 behind Jon Lester and Jake Arrieta. With Heyward and Lackey, the Cubs took two key players from the rival St. Louis Cardinals, and should have a great chance to win the competitive NL Central in 2016.

Winning the offseason and entering the spring as championship favorites doesn’t guarantee anything, as the Washington Nationals found out last year. Still, the Cubs should be thrilled with how this winter played out.

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