I came to the realization a while ago that fans always need something to complain about. They are all so desperate for blockbuster signings and frivolous spending as if those types of moves lead to championships. The headlines would make it seem the Dodgers have already won the 2024 World Series after acquiring Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Tyler Glasnow.
The reality? That couldn’t be further from the truth.
Top to bottom, the Braves lineup still clears Los Angeles’. Atlanta’s bullpen is now superior after all of their additions this offseason, and the Braves rotation — according to FanGraphs — is the best in baseball right now.
MLB starting rotation rankings right now
(according to FanGraphs):#1 – @Braves
#2 – @Phillies
#3 – @Dodgers
#4 – @Marlins
#5 – @Reds
#6 – @BlueJays
#7 – @Mariners
#8 – @astros
#9 – @Twins
#10 – @Brewers
#11 – @tigers
#12 – @Cardinals
#13 – @Yankees
#14 – @Dbacks…— Codify (@CodifyBaseball) January 3, 2024
The recent addition of Chris Sale helped the Braves leapfrog into the top spot, and while that may be surprising to some, it really shouldn’t be.
How often do you see a rotation featuring two legitimate aces and five guys that have been recognized as All-Stars? Going back to 2018, every single member of the Braves rotation has made an All-Star team, some of them have made multiple, and I would be shocked if a couple more of them weren’t named All-Stars this year.
Some will point to the age and injury history of Chris Sale and Charlie Morton. It’s a valid point, but they remain two of the best strikeout pitchers in the game AND they are behind arguably the best one-two punch in baseball in Max Fried and Spencer Strider.
Others are not as high on Bryce Elder because of his shaky ending to the 2023 campaign. Again, it’s a valid concern, but we are talking about a 24-year-old who was recognized as an All-Star in his first full season in the majors and recorded 2.9 WAR. It’s possible Elder regresses and looks more like the pitcher he was in the second half of the season, but it’s just as likely he improves with more experience. Oh, and by the way, he is projected to be the Braves fifth starter.
That’s absurd, and I haven’t even discussed the likes of AJ Smith-Shawver, Ian Anderson, Hurston Waldrep, and Reynaldo Lopez. A group of guys that are all oozing with the potential and chomping at the bit for an opportunity.
The offseason is far from over. There are plenty of signings and trades to be made prior to Opening Day, but as of now, nobody’s rotation is in better shape heading into the season than the Braves.
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Photo: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
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