Two long suffering organizations will clash in Game 1 of the NLCS on Saturday when the Chicago Cubs and New York Mets meet for the first time in postseason history.
The two teams combined for 11 straight losing seasons before snapping their respective postseason droughts. The Mets clinched their first division title since 2006, while the Cubs won 97 games for the first time since 2008.
It's been a long road for each organization, with both following different models of success to help them reach this point. Here's how each team was constructed:
New York Mets
POSITION PLAYERS:
| Pos | Player | Acquired |
|---|---|---|
| C | Travis d'Arnaud | Trade TOR (2012) |
| C | Kevin Plawecki | Drafted 1st Rd (2012) |
| 1B | Lucas Duda | Drafted 7th Rd (2007) |
| 2B | Daniel Murphy | Drafted 13th Rd (2006) |
| SS | Wilmer Flores | Free Agent (2007) |
| 3B | David Wright | Drafted 1st Rd (2001) |
| IF | Kelly Johnson | Trade ATL (2015) |
| IF | Matt Reynolds | Drafted 2nd Rd (2012) |
| OF | Curtis Granderson | Free Agent (2013) |
| OF | Yoenis Cespedes | Trade DET (2015) |
| OF | Michael Conforto | Drafted 1st Rd (2014) |
| OF | Juan Lagares | Free Agent (2006) |
| OF | Michael Cuddyer | Free Agent (2014) |
| OF | Kirk Nieuwenhuis | Drafted 3rd Rd (2008) |
PITCHERS:
| Pos | Player | How Acquired |
|---|---|---|
| SP | Jacob deGrom | Drafted 9th Rd (2010) |
| SP | Steven Matz | Drafted 2nd Rd (2009) |
| SP | Noah Syndergaard | Trade TOR (2012) |
| SP | Matt Harvey | Drafted 1st Rd (2010) |
| CL | Jeurys Familia | Free Agent (2007) |
| RP | Tyler Clippard | Trade OAK (2015) |
| RP | Addison Reed | Trade ARI (2015) |
| RP | Jon Niese | Drafted 7th Rd (2005) |
| RP | Bartolo Colon | Free Agent (2013) |
| RP | Hansel Robles | Free Agent (2008) |
| RP | Sean Gilmartin | Drafted Rule 5 (2014) |
ROSTER TALLY:
Drafted: 11
Free agent: 7
Trade: 6
Game-changer: The Mets wouldn't likely be in the NLCS if they didn't trade for Yoenis Cespedes at the non-waiver deadline. One of the league's worst run-producing teams before July 31, the hard-hitting Cuban outfielder transformed the Mets' lineup. Cespedes slashed .287/.337/.604 with 17 home runs and 44 RBIs in just 57 games to help the Mets win the division, and added two more home runs in the NLDS.
Under the radar: Selected with the 272nd pick of the 2010 draft, it's safe to say the Mets didn't predict Jacob deGrom would turn into their staff ace. Things didn't always come easy for the right-hander. During his age 25 season while pitching in Triple-A in 2013, deGrom posted a 4.52 ERA and 63 strikeouts in 75 2/3 innings. His development, however, came around and deGrom would win the NL Rookie of the Year the following year and go on to beat a pair of Cy Young winners in the NLDS.
Homegrown: While the Mets haven't had a lot to cheer about on the field the past nine years, they've been exceptional on the draft floor. Eleven current members of their 25-man roster were their own picks, with first-round selections Matt Harvey and David Wright developing into All-Stars.
Chicago Cubs
POSITION PLAYERS:
| Pos | Player | Acquired |
|---|---|---|
| C | Miguel Montero | Trade ARI (2014) |
| C | David Ross | Free Agent (2014) |
| 1B | Anthony Rizzo | Trade SD (2012) |
| 2B | Starlin Castro | Free Agent (2006) |
| 2B | Javier Baez | Drafted 1st Rd (2011) |
| SS | Addison Russell* | Trade OAK (2014) |
| 3B | Kris Bryant | Drafted 1st Rd (2013) |
| IF | Tommy La Stella | Trade ATL (2014) |
| OF | Dexter Fowler | Trade HOU (2015) |
| OF | Kyle Schwarber | Drafted 1st Rd (2014) |
| OF | Chris Coghlan | Free Agent (2014) |
| OF | Jorge Soler | Free Agent (2012) |
| OF | Austin Jackson | Trade SEA (2015) |
| OF | Chris Denorfia | Free Agent (2015) |
*- not on NLCS roster due to injury
PITCHERS:
| Pos | Pitcher | How Acquired |
|---|---|---|
| SP | Jake Arrieta | Trade BAL (2013) |
| SP | Jason Hammel | Free Agent (2014) |
| SP | Jon Lester | Free Agent (2014) |
| CL | Hector Rondon | Rule 5 (2012) |
| RP | Trevor Cahill | Free Agent (2015) |
| RP | Justin Grimm | Trade TEX (2013) |
| RP | Kyle Hendricks | Trade TEX (2012) |
| RP | Clayton Richard | Trade PIT (2015) |
| RP | Fernando Rodney | Trade SEA (2015) |
| RP | Pedro Strop | Trade BAL (2013) |
| RP | Travis Wood | Trade CIN (2011) |
ROSTER TALLY:
Trade: 12
Free agent: 8
Drafted: 3
Rule 5 Draft: 1
Game-changer: Anthony Rizzo bounced around two different organizations before landing with the Cubs as a 22-year-old in 2012. The first baseman found a home in Chicago and developed into the Cubs' most important bat, leading the team in games played, home runs, doubles, RBIs, average, on-base percentage, and slugging. Making his presence even more attractive is his contract. He's owed a reasonable $5 million this season and an additional $59 million through 2021.
Under the radar: The Baltimore Orioles must cringe every time Cy Young candidate Jake Arrieta makes another impressive start for the Cubs. Traded to Chicago for Steve Clevenger and Scott Feldman midway through the 2013 season, Arrieta has gone 36-13 with a 2.26 ERA and led the majors with 22 wins and four complete games this season.
Homegrown: Despite finishing with a losing record in seven of their previous 10 seasons, it's a bit surprising that the Cubs' current 25-man roster only consists of three players they've drafted themselves. While the number is underwhelming, the talent they have hit on is remarkable. Kyle Schwarber, Kris Bryant, and Javier Baez appear to all be future cornerstone pieces.
