It may have taken them a season to find their footing, and Jennifer Esposito was likely the final perfect piece to hit it stride. And of course, she was dropped to afford Heather Locklear.

Undoubtly, in seasons 2-3 Spin City was a sitcom of the highest quality, and to me it reached peak for work-environment and for a sitcom that goes mainly for the laughs.
Jennifer Esposito was a great addition, an underrated actress playing an underrated character. Losing her was a huge mistake by the producer.