6. Chicago Cubs
The Cubs are the undisputed best team in baseball and that isn’t going to change until someone else puts some sizeable distance between themselves and Chicago in the standings. Dexter Fowler and Aroldis Chapman were the only major components to depart during free agency, but the team will have Kyle Schwarber’s bat back in the lineup and picked up Wade Davis to shore up the back end of the bullpen.
Kris Bryant will be tasked with repeating his MVP performance from last season, but the presences of Schwarber, Anthony Rizzo and Ben Zobrist should take a lot of the pressure off his shoulders. If Jason Heyward bounces back after his abysmal year and Albert Almora, Jr. fills into his new starting center field role this lineup will have very few weaknesses.
As dominant as that lineup can be, however, it’s the starting rotation that’s their biggest strength. Jon Lester and Kyle Hendricks will return to the hill after finishing second and third in NL Cy Young voting last season, respectively. Jake Arrieta, who picked up the honor in 2015, rounds out a trio that is among the best in the majors.
Some division leaders won’t be making the playoffs next season, but don’t expect the Cubs to be among them.