Braves vs the Division: By Position

B

bravesfanforlife88

Well-known member
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
 
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Sorry, but Mets clearly have the best rotation. Top 3 are better and 4 and 5 are a wash at this time.

SS goes to Turner. Coming off a 4+ WAR season.


Your Nats OF advantage is based solely on an unproven rookie. Robles could fall flat on his face. Honestly, a Camargo/Duvall platoon could easily outproduce him unless he is a legit 3 WAR player immediately. Braves should have the advantage here, even before considering we're likely going to add an upgrade to LF.
 
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Wouldn't it make more sense to rank them in these 5 categories: lineup, defense, starting pitching, relief pitching, bench?
 
Carp said:
Sorry, but Mets clearly have the best rotation. Top 3 are better and 4 and 5 are a wash at this time.

SS goes to Turner. Coming off a 4+ WAR season.


Your Nats OF advantage is based solely on an unproven rookie. Robles could fall flat on his face. Honestly, a Camargo/Duvall platoon could easily outproduce him unless he is a legit 3 WAR player immediately. Braves should have the advantage here, even before considering we're likely going to add an upgrade to LF.
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The point of this is for the discussion...and you make good points that yes, things can be different than what I posted above. Keep in mind, there are still a few moves to make, we are not going to end up with Duvall/Camargo in RF. But I based the rotation pick, based on how much trouble the Mets rotation has had staying healthy.

bravesfanMatt said:
What about grit and BiLE. Do we still win those?


But good post. Worth revisiting when season starts. I also think we take 3rd base.
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Again, the health was the concern for me. If Donaldson is healthy, he should win it pretty easily.
 
bravesfanMatt said:
JD is in a contract year and knows he has to prove it to get paid. I like his chances.
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msstate7 said:
Idk... Donaldson last 6 years fWAR: 7.2, 5.7, 8.7, 7.6, 5.1, 1.3 (52 games)

Just 33. I expect a monster season
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Fangraphs has Rendon at 6.2 last year. I suspect he didn't fall off a cliff defensively like Baseball ref and DRS think he did.

And several of those years for JD was when he was still elite defensively. I don't think he's that guy anymore. I think a healthy JD will give you 4-5 WAR.
 
Not sure it’s likely tendon gets to free agency. The dollars being thrown around on his extension are completely reasonable. Don’t know why they would not get it done.

Arenado will be too pricy for Atlanta.
 
Southcack77 said:
Not sure it’s likely tendon gets to free agency. The dollars being thrown around on his extension are completely reasonable. Don’t know why they would not get it done.

Arenado will be too pricy for Atlanta.
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Yeah I can't see them losing both Rendon and Harper. Will be hard to keep both, but if Bryce ends up elsewhere then I'm sure they'll hang onto Rendon
 
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