Already building from within when Josh Byrnes was fired 2 { years into the job, the Padres' brass green-lit a quick fix when they approved A.J. Preller's offseason bonanza heading into the 2015 season.
They shipped a young catcher (Yasmani Grandal) and two minor league pitchers to Los Angeles to acquire a bat to build around (Matt Kemp). They flipped a pair of homegrown prospects (Trea Turner and Joe Ross) in a three-team deal that netted a "now" bat (Wil Myers). They traded more prospects to pick up another outfield bat (Justin Upton) and a closer (Craig Kimbrel). They swapped two more pieces for a catcher (Derek Norris). They signed a 33-year-old pitcher (James Shields) to the richest contract in franchise history.
After yet another 70-something-win season, they tore it all down to build from within.
Again.
Which is _ believe it or not _ largely the way both 2017 World Series contestants constructed their core of their rosters.
Yes, even the Dodgers, owners of an MLB-high $242 million payroll on Opening Day.
Here's a look at how the front offices of 104-win and 101-win teams _ Los Angeles and Houston, respectively _ pieced together World Series-worthy squads.
