MLB contenders that made big improvements
At first, the baseball jumped into Josh Donaldson’s glove, but when it spilled on the ground to his right, he loudly formed a familiar four-letter swear word. Donaldson then ducked deep again on a practice field at the New York Yankees’ spring training complex, his body language imploring guest instructor Willie Randolph to hit another grounder.
The Yankees need Donaldson to do well this year, just as they need all members of their revamped defense to be productive. The Yankees fan base has been clamoring for upgrades to match those affected by division rivals, big moves with big names. Instead, what the front office has been betting on, and betting heavily on, is that the team could improve significantly through a broad-based upgrade of its defense.
The post-lockout headlines have been dominated by stars like Freddie Freeman and Carlos Correa finally landing in new homes, and the mega-trades made by Oakland. However, within the fine print of the transactions, some clubs have apparently upgraded crucial elements of their respective teams.
Atlanta Braves: Bullpen
Because the Braves spent part of the offseason adjusting the size of their championship rings, it’s easy to forget what a disaster the Atlanta bullpen was for much of last season. The ownership group’s mandate to reduce payroll hit the relief corps harder than any other team, with the departure of closer Mark Melancon after the Braves couldn’t get a $3 million contract for him. Atlanta’s bullpen stabilized late in the year, with Will Smith dominating three rounds of the postseason, pitching 11 shutout innings and racking up six saves.
The Braves have rebuilt their group of relievers this offseason, signing Kenley Jansen for $16 million on a one-year deal, and Collin McHugh for $10 million over two years. In addition, Atlanta re-signed Darren O’Day. “Our right side was lacking a little bit of depth,” Braves pitching coach Rick Kranitz said last week. “We knew we needed to solidify that, and then BANG, Alex draws both Kenley and Collin.”
Jansen had a good season for the Dodgers last year, regaining velocity and movement on his cut-off straight, a pitch he threw 58.1 percent of the time, according to Fangraphs. McHugh was exceptional last season for the Rays, who created what seemed to be a perfect role for the righty: they never used him on consecutive days, instead giving him several days off between appearances that generally ranged from three to nine. McHugh’s outings closed the year with 74 strikeouts and just 12 walks and three home runs in 64 innings.
The Braves also bring back left-handers Smith, Tyler Matzek and AJ Minter, and righty Luke Jackson, who posted a 1.98 ERA last year.
“When you have so many quality guys in a bullpen,” Kranitz said, “you don’t have to overuse your bullpen. You don’t have to rely on the same guys day in and day out.”
New York Yankees: Defense
The Yankees didn’t sign one of the elite shortstops in free agency. They didn’t nab the best starting pitchers available. They couldn’t outbid the Braves and get Matt Olson instead, and they never came close to a deal for the guy Olson supplanted, Freddie Freeman. They didn’t spend money like the Mets did this winter. So, all the talk among angry Yankee fans is what the Yankees didn’t do.
To borrow from the abbreviated form of the scorebooks, the 2021 Yankees managed 18 6-4-3 double plays (shortstop to second base to first) and that was the fewest in the majors.
Yankees infielders had minus-54 defensive runs saved (DRS) last season. That was the worst number in the majors. They had negative DRS ratings in each of the four spots in the box, at catcher and in left and right field. Their center fielders had the best DRS metrics, with a collective zero.
There has been a complete overhaul since last July in the group, and if Donaldson and his new shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa play to their recent standards, the left side of the box could see an improvement of about 30 runs saved by the defense in those two spots alone. (Hembekides points out that 10 DRS is generally worth an additional win).
