The Chicago Cubs won the World Series last week. Thus crumbled a championship drought that had lasted for 108 years. That's a glimmer of hope for other long-suffering MLB franchises if there ever were one.

Now all they need is for some damn fool to project when that glimmer of hope might pay off. I guess that's me.

Buster Posey didn't need to pad his resume.

At age 29, the San Francisco Giants catcher has already won a Rookie of the Year trophy, a batting title, three Silver Sluggers, a National League MVP and three championship rings.

For even the all-time greats, that's a career and change.

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.

The 2016-17 MLB offseason is underway, as another thrilling postseason was capped off by the Chicago Cubs besting the Cleveland Indians in a seven-game World Series for the ages.

There will be time to reflect on the 2016 season in the months ahead, but there is no rest for MLB teams in their pursuit of a title, and the offseason work is already underway.

All 30 teams have different to-do lists heading into the winter, as each team looks to shore up its roster for a run of its own in 2017.

MLB's rightful MVPs don't always receive the hardware.

The writers voting for the recipients are smarter than ever, though. Those tasked with choosing this year's most valuable performers appreciate analytics more than they did 10 years ago, when Justin Morneau and Ryan Howard won over the more deserving Grady Sizemore and Albert Pujols, respectively.

After checking in on catchers and corner infielders, Bleacher Report's review of the top 100 players available in the 2016-17 MLB offseason now moves to the middle of the infield.

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.

Only the Chicago Cubs deserve to look back onto the 2016 Major League Baseball season. For every other organization, it is now time to look forward.

That made the timing of Saturday's Fall Stars Game, the showcase of the Arizona Fall League's best players, perfect.

And no, the Cubs' Kyle Schwarber did not play in the game, though he played two Arizona Fall League games in order to get ready for the World Series.

Billy Goats and Bartman be damned. The curse over Wrigley Field has been lifted, and the Chicago Cubs are the kings of baseball for the first time in more than a century.

While fans continue to pinch each other, making sure this isn't all some beautiful dream, the Cubs have little time to rest of their laurels. For the MLB offseason is officially underway, and team president Theo Epstein, general manager Jed Hoyer and their staffs have work to do.

As Milli Vanilli once sang, "Blame It On the Rain."