Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Brewers hold respective edges entering 2018

The numbers speak for themselves

All in all, these numbers make sense and the stories they tell are quite revealing. They show that Cincinnati may not be as far off from contention as many would think. Also, it shows that the few moves the Cardinals made among their position players have yielded a net gain and have them poised to remain viable in the division.

They imply that perhaps Milwaukee would have been better served to address the issues in their infield instead of building to a strength in the outfield. Certainly, the addition of Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain certainly help this group. We see this as the Brewers outfield ranks as the second-best position grouping.

But I’m not so sure they wouldn’t have been just as highly-ranked had they just stuck to bringing in Yelich and spent Cain’s money on an infielder (Eduardo Nunez or Zack Cozart). For that matter, even Jonathan Lucroy as a catcher. (In full disclosure, technically the Brewers could add Nunez and/or Lucroy as neither has signed at time of writing).

Next: 2018 rotation could outperform even 2016 staff

Or, better still, they could have invested big in a starting pitcher.