The last two World Series champions both now feature stacked lineups as Spring Training begins to get underway. Both teams have been active this week trying to get their rosters in shape to contend for the 2023 World Series.
So who is better?
Late last night, Freddie Freeman finally made his decision as to where he will be playing baseball in 2022 and beyond when he signed a lucrative 6 year, $162 million with the LA Dodgers. The 2020 MVP brings yet another powerful bat into their lineup and many have questioned whether this elevates them to the best lineup in baseball.
The Dodgers now feature two MVP winners in Freeman and outfielder Mookie Betts, as well as seven other guys that can hit 20+ home runs. The NL runner-up finished last season tied for fourth in runs per game, fourth in home runs, second in walks, and tied for fifth in OPS.
Now the Dodgers can add one of the best left-handed hitters in the sport to an already dynamic lineup with no real holes.
The Braves, meanwhile, made a splash move of their own when they acquired All-Star first baseman, Matt Olson, from the Oakland Athletics. The 27-year-old turned in a career year in 2021, making his first All-Star Game in his young career. He was a stud at the plate slashing .271/.349/.502 with 39 home runs and 111 RBI. It should also be noted that he blasted those home runs in one of the worst parks for power hitters and that he is now making his home in one of the more friendly ballparks.
There's no denying how dominant Freddie Freeman has been over the last four seasons, but it could certainly be argued that Olson had the better 2021 season. The Lilburn, GA native led the pair in OPS+, WAR, home runs, walks, slugging. When you pair that with Olson decreasing his strike out rate from 31.4 percent to 16.8 percent, there's a strong reason to believe we haven't even seen the best from him.
On top of Matt Olson joining the Braves lineup, the reigning World Series champions will hope to see triumphant returns from Ronald Acuña and Marcell Ozuna. Both of these two were lost for the second half of the 2021 season after outstanding Silver Slugger campaigns in 2020. Assuming both can return to form, the Braves will have added some serious firepower. The last time these two were featured in the lineup for a full season, the Braves topped out as the most productive offense in baseball.
Famed Dodger-killer Eddie Rosario will also return to round out the lineup and provide some significant depth and flexibility.
Both rosters can beat you in a variety of ways, and with the addition of the designated hitter to the lineup, they will be more potent than ever. While the Dodgers will likely have the upper hand in 2022, the Braves promise to be in contention for this honor for the foreseeable future. The vast majority of this roster is under contract for the next two years and beyond, with many of them not yet reaching their peak.
With how dominant the Braves and Dodgers figure to be in 2022, it would only be fitting that these two teams meet for their third consecutive NLCS matchup come playoff time.
