This is an overlooked area and we have some good resources here in the forum. We saw last postseason how far superior defense can take a middle of the pack offense. The Royals defense was so good that it was a shame their three headed bullpen struck out so many.
To kick things off, here is Fangraph's contribution.
Team 2015 Proj Z Score 2014 UZR Z Score Change, Z
Orioles 34 1.6 55 1.7 0
Royals 34 1.7 61 1.9 -0.2
Rays 29 1.4 7 0.2 1.2
Yankees 29 1.4 4 0.1 1.3
Cardinals 24 1.1 29 0.9 0.3
Dodgers 21 1 -8 -0.3 1.2
Reds 20 0.9 46 1.4 -0.5
Red Sox 19 0.8 49 1.5 -0.6
Nationals 17 0.7 -6 -0.2 0.9
Athletics 13 0.5 24 0.7 -0.2
Diamondbacks 10 0.4 -4 -0.1 0.5
Giants 7 0.2 3 0.1 0.1
Mariners 6 0.2 8 0.3 -0.1
Brewers 5 0.1 3 0.1 0
Rockies 5 0.1 -1 0 0.1
Blue Jays 1 -0.1 -7 -0.2 0.1
Cubs -1 -0.2 -6 -0.2 0
Rangers -2 -0.2 -7 -0.2 0
Braves -3 -0.3 35 1 -1.4
Marlins -4 -0.4 -3 -0.1 -0.3
Angels -7 -0.5 26 0.8 -1.3
Pirates -8 -0.6 -40 -1.2 0.7
Tigers -9 -0.6 -48 -1.5 0.8
Phillies -12 -0.8 -22 -0.7 -0.1
Indians -13 -0.9 -72 -2.2 1.3
Mets -13 -0.9 7 0.2 -1.1
Padres -26 -1.5 9 0.3 -1.8
Twins -26 -1.5 -35 -1 -0.5
White Sox -26 -1.6 -39 -1.2 -0.4
Astros -35 -2 -64 -1.9 -0.1
The three most improved: Yankees, Indians, Rays and Dodgers (tie).
Three biggest declines: Padres, Braves, Angels.
J
To kick things off, here is Fangraph's contribution.
Team 2015 Proj Z Score 2014 UZR Z Score Change, Z
Orioles 34 1.6 55 1.7 0
Royals 34 1.7 61 1.9 -0.2
Rays 29 1.4 7 0.2 1.2
Yankees 29 1.4 4 0.1 1.3
Cardinals 24 1.1 29 0.9 0.3
Dodgers 21 1 -8 -0.3 1.2
Reds 20 0.9 46 1.4 -0.5
Red Sox 19 0.8 49 1.5 -0.6
Nationals 17 0.7 -6 -0.2 0.9
Athletics 13 0.5 24 0.7 -0.2
Diamondbacks 10 0.4 -4 -0.1 0.5
Giants 7 0.2 3 0.1 0.1
Mariners 6 0.2 8 0.3 -0.1
Brewers 5 0.1 3 0.1 0
Rockies 5 0.1 -1 0 0.1
Blue Jays 1 -0.1 -7 -0.2 0.1
Cubs -1 -0.2 -6 -0.2 0
Rangers -2 -0.2 -7 -0.2 0
Braves -3 -0.3 35 1 -1.4
Marlins -4 -0.4 -3 -0.1 -0.3
Angels -7 -0.5 26 0.8 -1.3
Pirates -8 -0.6 -40 -1.2 0.7
Tigers -9 -0.6 -48 -1.5 0.8
Phillies -12 -0.8 -22 -0.7 -0.1
Indians -13 -0.9 -72 -2.2 1.3
Mets -13 -0.9 7 0.2 -1.1
Padres -26 -1.5 9 0.3 -1.8
Twins -26 -1.5 -35 -1 -0.5
White Sox -26 -1.6 -39 -1.2 -0.4
Astros -35 -2 -64 -1.9 -0.1
The three most improved: Yankees, Indians, Rays and Dodgers (tie).
Three biggest declines: Padres, Braves, Angels.
J
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