The Chicago Cubs are just getting started. Here are five reasons why they have a great shot of repeating as World Series champions in 2017.
It’s great that the Chicago Cubs have finally won a World Series after 108 years. Those 108 years have been quite hard for the fans, with countless people never getting to see them host a championship parade. That was then, this is 2016. And the lovable losers are no longer lovable losers. They’re an elite team and they could be on the verge of a dynasty.
Once you get one championship, you start getting a bit greedy. This will be the case with them. Naturally, the World Series champs are favorites to repeat according to Bovada. Looking at their team in 2017, it’s for a good reason. Barring injuries, they will enter 2017 as the best team in baseball. It’s nothing new for them. They had a target on their backs from Opening Day to Game 7 of the World Series. It didn’t faze them from their goal. Here are five reasons why the Cubs can repeat as World Series champions in 2017.
5. The Ricketts Family
Cubs fans are very lucky. They have Thomas Ricketts, an owner with deep pockets who isn’t afraid to spend money and make big moves. He’s a huge reason for their success because he likes to let his front office personnel do their job and not butting in like other owners. It’s a good thing he has deep pockets because Chicago will need it this offseason.
While they won’t be losing any significant starting players, they will most likely need to find a new closer. Closing is at a premium these days and teams have to pay for saves. Ricketts will approve the money needed to get someone like Kenley Jansen or Mark Melancon. They’ll also either need to re-sign Dexter Fowler, who opted out of his deal, or find a replacement. Either way, Ricketts and Theo Epstein will replace him. His deep pockets will be needed to extend their young stars as well. Ricketts will be more than happy to do so.