With success comes expectations. The updated odds to win the 2016 World Series have the Mets as one of the most likely teams to capture the crown.
Their chances are pegged at 14-1 alongside the Kansas City Royals, who ended their postseason drought to become 2015 champions. While the National League champions will welcome back their loaded starting rotation, they will have to replace Yoenis Cespedes's offensive production if the free agent outfielder signs elsewhere. The Royals, meanwhile, already lost Ben Zobrist to the Chicago Cubs and Johnny Cueto to the San Francisco Giants.
On the strength of those free-agent signings, the Cubs and Giants are the current favorites at 6-1. This makes more sense for the Cubs, who also added Jason Heyward and John Lackey to an incredible young nucleus. Oddsmakers are either supremely confident in a bounce-back season from Jeff Samardzija or are sheepishly following the Giants' even-year pattern.
The replenished Boston Red Sox lead the American League after signing David Price and acquiring Craig Kimbrel. Then again, they were also a popular championship pick last year, when they finished 78-84.
It's too early to make much of these estimations. Signings, trades, and injuries will alter perceptions before Opening Day, and the excitement of splashy December moves will wane. In the meantime, baseball fans have time to kill, so let's take a look at the odds for notable contenders: (The Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves didn't make the cut at 100-1 each.)
San Francisco Giants: 6/1
Chicago Cubs: 6/1
Boston Red Sox: 9/1
New York Mets: 14/1
Kansas City Royals: 14/1
Los Angeles Dodgers: 16/1
Toronto Blue Jays: 16/1
St. Louis Cardinals: 16/1
Washington Nationals: 18/1
Houston Astros: 18/1
Pittsburgh Pirates: 18/1
Texas Rangers: 20/1
Arizona Diamondbacks: 20/1
Cleveland Indians: 25/1
Los Angeles Angels: 25/1
New York Yankees: 25/1
Detroit Tigers: 25/1