Best MLB Outfield

So if you follow baseball at all, you heard about the Atlanta/Arizona trade bringing Justin Upton to the Braves. That re-united him with his brother BJ, who signed there earlier this year, and the Braves still have budding star Jason Heyward. That's quite an outfield, but is it the best in baseball?

After discussion between Greg and myself yesterday, we believe the best outfields in baseball are the Angels, Braves, and Dodgers (shout out to Nationals, Cardinals, Brewers). But in what order?

All three teams have beefed up their lineups with recent moves. Obviously, the Braves deal is the newest (Upton, Upton, Heyward). But the Dodgers traded for Carl Crawford last year putting him out there with Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier. The Angels brought in Josh Hamilton earlier this offseason to play with Mike Trout and Peter Bourjos (assuming Trumbo is the DH). Those are three loaded outfields.

The first thing that strikes me is the reward each outfield can bring, but each comes with some uncertainty. In Atlanta, each of their players are as prone to slumps and strikeouts as they are to production. With the Dodgers, their potential is tied in large part to Carl Crawford and his recovery from injury. And the Angels are praying that Trout doesn't regress at all, and that Bourjos can become an every day player sooner rather than later.

While the teams in LA have the best outfielders in the league (Trout and Kemp, but also Josh Hamilton), they also have the worst outfielders mentioned in the article (Ethier and then Bourjos by a large margin). Atlanta is much more balanced across the board, but don't possess the one guy that could win MVP (although Justin was close a couple years ago).

Defensively there are some great gloves mentioned. Heyward was a Gold Glove winner last year and Justin just missed that honor. We know Trout can defend with the best of them in LA and so can Matt Kemp.

After some thought, Greg says the Angels have the best outfield. He obviously loves Trout, but also loves Josh Hamilton as their second best outfielder. Those two more than cover up for Bourjos. Trout for MVP!

I'm going with Atlanta. I know they are my favorite team, but who can say they have three five-tool players in the same outfield? No one but them! I also think that the Upton's have struggled with attitudes and consistency, but putting them together will rejuvenate them and bring out the best in them.

Of course Greg and I will surely be wrong, but that's what we think. What do you think?

By: The Sports Guys