The Chicago Cubs ... ahem, the world champion Chicago Cubs return as the favorites to win the World Series again in 2017.The best team doesnt always win the World Series, of course, but in 2016, it did. And while it did involve a few sizable investments in the roster to get there, it was more the culmination of a long rebuild, in which short-term fixes were generally eschewed and the objective was to contend for five years, six years or even longer.Chicago does have a few losses coming this offseason, and the Cubs will never go into a season with the mean projection being 103 wins, but heres the bottom line: The 2017 organization stands just as strong as the 2016 one. Were he to leave, impending free agent Dexter Fowler would be the teams biggest loss this offseason -- Aroldis Chapman is better but was part of the team for only a third of the season -- but Fowler was considered a short-term addition anyway. The Cubs seemed perfectly happy playing Jason Heyward in center field before the opportunity to bring back Fowler fell into their laps.The Cubs also get a full-season return of Kyle Schwarber, the left-handed bat they were missing to go along with Anthony Rizzos in 2016. And its way too early to call the Heyward contract doomed. He was terrible this year, but hes not old and has had better seasons in the past. With Heywards glove, he doesnt have to be an offensive superstar to be a valuable player; if he just gets back to the 110 OPS+ range, which is still likely, hell be a plus to the 2017 team as the Cubs try to repeat.Unusual for a high-payroll team winning the World Series is that even with the loss of players to the Yankees in the Chapman trade, the Cubs still retain a strong farm system. This gives the organization flexibility in the coming years and means that the holes that pop up for the franchise this offseason are simpler to fix, either from within or by trading prospects for a more experienced solution.The Cubs were at the top of our Future Power Rankings this year, and after doing what no other Cubs team in living memory has done, theyre certainly not going to drop as a result!With that, we take a look at the preliminary ZiPS projections for the 2017 season. Obviously these projections will change tremendously as players re-sign, sign or are traded, but heres what things look like right now. Authentic Darius Phillips Jersey . -- Playing time has been limited for Maxim Tissot this season, so the Montreal Impact defender made the most of his first scoring opportunity on Saturday. Authentic Andrew Brown Jersey . He says so-called TRT is only one problem and he wants to go even further than the ban. 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DeAndre Ayton, the top-ranked boys basketball recruit in the country, has chosen Arizona over Kentucky and Kansas.Ayton entered the summer listing only Kansas as a school of interest, but he said the Wildcats made up ground due to the relationship the staff built with both him and his mother, Andrea.?The 7-foot-1, 245-pound Ayton is a native of the Bahamas who attends Hillcrest Academy in Phoenix.Its close to home, and I really built a great relationship with Coach [Sean] Miller and [Joe] Pasternak, Ayton told ESPN. Its important to me for my mom to see me play -- and to be close to her.Ayton moved to San Diego in the seventh grade from Nassau, and he is in his second season at Hillcrest.There has been speculation that Ayton could be the next big-time high school standout to play overseas instead of in college. However, he told ESPN that wont be the case -- and that he is focused on playing at Arizona.College is a must, he said. My family wants me to go to college. Its important for me and my mom. I want to go to Arizona and win a national championship. Arizona won its only national title 20 years ago -- and Id like to help bring another one to Tucson.Ayton, 18, has been considered the best player in the 2017 class since dominating against older players at the LeBron James Skills Academy during the summer of 2014. He is an athletic, skilled big man who is versatile enough to play in the post and also step out on the perimeter and make shots. He compared his game to fuuture NBA Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett.ddddddddddddEvery time I watch him, I see that fire he plays with, Ayton said. Thats the same fire I have.Ive seen him grow a ton in the last year, even in the last three months, Hillcrest coach Kyle Weaver said. Hes become a leader. Theres no one Id rather go to battle with than DeAndre. He has such a bright future, and Arizona will certainly have a chance to win a national title with him in the fold.Ayton averaged 20.1 points and 11.9 rebounds on the Nike EYBL circuit this past spring and summer, including posting a 25-point, 12-rebound performance against Wendell Carter, the No. 1 power forward in the Class of 2017.The top two prospects in the senior class are now already committed, with Ayton joining No. 2 Michael Porter Jr., who committed to Washington in July.Ayton is the second commitment in the 2017 class for Arizona. The Wildcats also landed ESPN 100 guard Alex Barcello in late August. Miller has recruited a top-seven class in six straight seasons and is now in good shape to end up near the top of the rankings once again.Ayton is the first No. 1 prospect to commit to Arizona since ESPNs database began in 2007. Hes the first top-five prospect to commit to the Wildcats since Miller reeled in Kaleb Tarczewski (No. 4) and Aaron Gordon (No. 4) in back-to-back classes in 2012 and 2013, respectively. China Womens NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys China Wholesale NFL Camo Jerseys Discount NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Black Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Wholesale ' ' '