* Originally from Area 'BRAVES'
 * Originally from "Pablo Macouzet, Jr."  on 1:209/10, 24 Dec 96  16:15:33
 * Originally to braves list on 1:209/745
 * Forwarded by Terry May on 1:209/745, 25 Dec 96  08:54:02
No team has been more active this off-season than the Florida Marlins. Six 
free agents have been signed -- for a combined total of more than $89 million 
-- to help a team that went 80-82 in 1996.
Alex Fernandez, Bobby Bonilla and Moises Alou were all signed to
long-term deals that will pay each at least $5 million per season. Jim
Eisenreich and John Cangelosi will bolster the bench and Dennis Cook adds
left-handed depth to the bullpen.
How much better are the Marlins? Many in South Florida are so excited
they think the Marlins will challenge the Atlanta Braves in the National
League East. In fact, a recent article in the Miami Herald compared the
every day lineups of the two teams and gave the Braves the advantage at
only two positions.
Which got us to thinking ....
Catcher
Player             HR  RBI   AVG    OBP   SLG
Javy Lopez         23   69  .282   .322  .466
Charles Johnson    13   37  .218   .292  .358
Advantage: Braves. Johnson's Gold Glove doesn't come to close to making
up Lopez' superiority with the bat. Johnson should hit better in '97, but
Lopez could hit 30 homers.
First base
Player             HR  RBI   AVG.  OBP.  SLG.
Fred McGriff       28  107   .295  .365  .494
Jeff Conine        26   95   .293  .360  .484
Advantage: Even. The numbers between McGriff and Conine are nearly
identical. If the Braves trade McGriff and move Ryan Klesko to first,
give the Braves the advantage as Klesko is a better hitter than McGriff
or Conine.
Second base
Player             HR  RBI   AVG.  OBP.  SLG.
Mark Lemke          5   37   .255  .323  .319
Luis Castillo       1    8   .262  .320  .305
Advantage: Even. Castillo doesn't have any power -- but then, neither
does Lemke. Lemke is one of the best glovemen around, adept at turning
the doubleplay, but we'll give the Marlins a break and call this even.
Third base
Player             HR  RBI   AVG.  OBP.  SLG.
Chipper Jones      30  110   .309  .393  .530
Bobby Bonilla      28  116   .287  .363  .491
Advantage: Braves. Considering Bonilla put up his stats in the AL, Jones
is clearly the far better hitter. Throw in the fact that Bonilla will be
horrible defensively and this one is no contest.
Shortstop
Player             HR  RBI   AVG.  OBP.  SLG.
Jeff Blauser       10   35   .245  .356  .419
Edgar Renteria      5   31   .309  .358  .399
Advantage: Marlins. As "bad" as Blauser was '96, his on-base + slugging
was still better than Renteria's. Assuming Renteria gets a little better,
factor in Blauser's weak defense, and we'll give this to the Marlins.
Left field
Player             HR  RBI   AVG.  OBP.  SLG.
Ryan Klesko        34   93   .282  .364  .530
Gary Sheffield     42  120   .314  .465  .624
Advantage: Marlins. Supposedly, Sheffield will play left and Alou right.
Sheffield may have been the best hitter in the NL and, while it will be
tough to repeat his year, he rates the edge.
Center field
Player             HR  RBI   AVG.  OBP.  SLG.
Marquis Grissom    23   74   .308  .349  .489
Devon White        17   84   .274  .325  .455
Advantage: Braves. Both players had good seasons in '96, but Grissom's
was definitely better. White has lost a step in center while Grissom
remains one of the best. Marquis gets the nod.
Right field
Player             HR  RBI   AVG.  OBP.  SLG.
Andruw Jones        5   13   .217  .265  .443
Moises Alou        21   96   .281  .339  .457
Advantage: Braves. Stats, Inc. projects Jones to hit .282 with 31 home
runs. That may be optimistic, but his numbers should approach and surpass
Alou, who is -- to put it simply -- overrated. If David Justice plays
right and Jones left, Justice still rates the advantage.
The Marlins have an advantage only in left field while the Braves are
clearly superior at catcher, third base and center field. Four positions
-- First base, second base, shortstop and right field are fairly even.
For some reason, the Braves have been handed the label of having a
mediocre offense. It just isn't true. Their offense was good as any team
in the NL (fourth in runs, just five behind second-place Cincinnati). And
no regular really had a career year.
Some contend that the Marlins' Big Three of Kevin Brown, Alex Fernandez
and Al Leiter matches up with the vaunted staff of Atlanta.
True, Brown and Leiter had great seasons last year. What are the odds of
those two posting ERA's of 1.89 and 2.93 again? Very slim. What are the
odds of John Smoltz and Greg Maddux posting ERA's of 2.94 and 2.72 again?
Very good.
Since it's difficult to say who the No. 1, 2 and 3 starters are, let's
rank the pitchers in order of overall merit:
1. Maddux
2. Smoltz
3. Brown
4. Fernandez
5. Glavine
6. Leiter
Oh, yeah, most teams have to use five starters. Denny Neagle is the best
No. 4 starter in baseball. The Marlins counter with Pat Rapp. Terrell
Wade is the leading candidate for the fifth slot for the Braves while
Florida will send out Rick Helling or Mark Hutton.
You get the picture.
The Marlins are improved. They should contend for a playoff spot.
They're not as good as the Atlanta Braves.
... PITCHERS.BAT found!  Delete DH.SYS (Y/y)?
--- JetMail 0.99beta22
---------------