Chicago Cubs: What does the Mets-Mariners trade mean for the Cubs?

Four years ago, the Chicago Cubs ran into the buzzsaw that was the New York Mets. Now, the Mets are involved in a blockbuster. What does it all mean?

When the Chicago Cubs and New York Mets met in the 2015 National League Championship Series, it was supposed to mark the dawn of a new era where these two clubs would rule the league for years to come.

In the three years that followed, Chicago won a World Series, returning to the postseason annually. From 2015 to 2017, the Cubs played in the League Championship Series. The Mets? They averaged just 78 wins per year and missed the postseason in both 2017 and 2018.

Hellbent on returning the team to relevancy, new general manager Brodie Van Wagenen already has his first blockbuster under his belt.

According to multiple reports, the Mets acquired eight-time All-Star Robinson Cano and shutdown closer Edwin Diaz from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for Jay Bruce, relievers Anthony Swarzak and Gerson Bautista and prospects Jarred Kelenic, Justin Dunn and cash in the neighborhood of $20 million.

Is this enough to get New York back to October? How do they stack up against Chicago (at least on paper)? Could we see another Mets-Cubs NLCS in 2019?