Opinion

Write it down: The Chicago Cubs are the early favorites for 2017.

What, too soon?

Nolan Arenado caught scouts' eyes in the Arizona Fall League when he was 20 years old. So did Derek Jeter, Corey Seager and Francisco Lindor.

Gleyber Torres is 19.

"He's playing against older guys," Carl Moesche of the Major League Scouting Bureau said in an interview on Saturday on MLB Network. "And he's not intimidated."

The 2016 MLB season may be over, but it has left us plenty to debate.

As teams turn toward free agency and 2017, the release of the Baseball Writers Association of America’s award nominees has given everyone reason to continue to dissect 2016.

There are some obvious winners and other awards that appear more competitive. There were snubs, too, of course.

But nonetheless, there was plenty to take away.

The 2016 MLB free-agent market isn't a good one, which means the best way to add talent this offseason will likely be through trades.

After seeing what the Chicago Cubs were able to accomplish with a young core of players who were either drafted by the team or acquired before reaching the majors, front offices will likely be cautious about dealing away their prospects. However, there is some elite, proven talent available for those willing to roll the dice.

Surely, Boston Red Sox fans can't believe David Ortiz is retiring. We understand. Your great-aunt who couldn't tell a Carl Yastrzemski from a hole in the ground understands.

But Big Papi is indeed hanging 'em up.

The question now is, who can replace him?

The answer may be Edwin Encarnacion.

You shouldn't feel sorry for the Colorado Rockies.

Managers matter, and anyone who doesn't think so must have missed the World Series.

No, this isn't about whether Joe Maddon misused his bullpen or about whether Terry Francona could have done anything more to help the Cleveland Indians close out a series they led three games to one.

The Chicago Cubs capped off their historic 2016 MLB season with a dramatic 8-7 victory in extra innings over the Cleveland Indians in Wednesday's Game 7 of the World Series.

While the organization and its long-suffering fans will likely revel in the aftermath of the team's first championship since 1908, the rest of the baseball world has already turned its attention toward eclipsing the Cubs next season.

CLEVELAND — It was the wise Satchel Paige who warned, "Don't look back; something might be gaining on you."

With the 2016 Major League Baseball campaign in the history books, all 30 teams are looking ahead to next season in an effort to secure a World Series championship. 

The hot-stove season brings with it a host of rumors, particularly on the trade front since free agency officially begins Tuesday.