Braves vs the Division: By Position
Leaving the Fish out of this, as they will not be in competition this season (or the next several for that matter). This of course is as of today, and could changed depending of what moves are made the rest of the offseason. Harper, Machado, Kimbrel, JTR, Pollock, etc are all players that when added to any one of the 4 teams, could shift the advantage...
I updated the post to reflect Fangraphs projections for 2019 in terms of WAR at the request of Sturg33. Did not do the bullpen WAR if someone wants to try that.
Thoughts?
First Base:
Braves: Freeman 4.2 WAR
gNats: Zimmerman 1.2 WAR
Phillies: Hoskins 3.6 WAR
Mets: Cano 3.4 WAR
Advantage: Braves - Freeman has always been a steady player who has power as well as good contact skills. While Hoskins is a very good player, I give the edge to Freeman for what he does defensively as well as offensively.
Second Base:
Braves: Albies 3.5 WAR
gNats: Kendrick 0.3 WAR
Phillies: Hernandez 2.2 WAR
Mets: Lowrie 2.0 WAR
Advantage: Braves - Ozzie Albies had a killer start to the season, however, did taper off in the 2nd half.
Short Stop:
Braves: Swanson 1.8 WAR
gNats: Turner 4.6 WAR
Phillies: Segura 2.6 WAR
Mets: Rosario 2.1 WAR
Advantage: gNats - going off Fangraphs projected WAR for 2019.
Third Base:
Braves: Donaldson 4.2 WAR
gNats: Rendon 5.4 WAR
Phillies: Franco 2.2 WAR
Mets: Frazier 0.7 WAR
Advantage - gNats - Rendon has proven to provide steady production in his career, and is entering a contract year. Donaldson has the potential to have the better season, however, Rendon gets the nod due to being less of a health concern. This could change if the Phillies sign Machado.
Catcher:
Braves: McCann/Flowers 0.9/1.5 WAR
gNats: Suzuki/ Gomes 1.3/1.2 WAR
Phillies: Realmuto/Knapp 4.0/0.3 WAR
Mets: Ramos/d'Arnaud 2.2/1.0 WAR
Advantage - Phillies - the addition of JTR by far gives them the best catcher in the division, possibly even in baseball
Outfield:
Braves: Acuna (3.3), Inciarte (2.4), Duval (0.6) = 6.3 WAR
gNats: Eaton (2.5), Robles (2.2), Soto (4.3) = 9 WAR
Phillies: McCutchen (2.9), Williams (0.2), Herrera (2.0) = 5.1 WAR
Mets: Nimmo (2.3), Conforto (3.2), Lagares (0.7) = 6.2 WAR
Advantage - gNats - Robles and Soto are going to be special talents we have to contend with for a long time. Of course I don't expect us to end up with Duvall in the OF, however, this is based off of what players teams have right now. Could change if Harper lands in the division.
Rotation:
Braves: Folty, Newk, Gausman, Teheran, Soroka/Gohara/Touki 7.6 WAR
gNats: Scherzer, Stras, Corbin, Sanchez, Fedde 15.2 WAR
Phillies: Nola, Arrieta, Velasquez, Pivetta, Eflin 11.4 WAR
Mets: deGrom , Syndergaard, Wheeler, Matz, Vargas 14.8 WAR
Advantage - gNats - They have a very potent rotation no doubt about it. The Mets come in second in this department due to the health concerns.
Bullpen: (not listing all of the bullpen arms)
Braves:
gNats:
Phillies:
Mets:
Advantage: Mets - They have brought back Familia puts added Diaz as a dominant closer at the back end of the game. The gNats, have also improved their pen with some nice additions.
Totals:
Braves: 1B, 2B
gNats: 3B, SS, OF, Rotation
Phillies: C
Mets: Bullpen
