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Baltimore Orioles: Left Field a Wasteland in 2016 in the AL East

By Nate Wardle

Sep 9, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter (26) in the dugout prior to the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 9, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter (26) in the dugout prior to the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Brett Gardner
Sep 20, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Brett Gardner (11) hits a RBI single during the seventh inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

1. New York Yankees – Brett Gardner, Aaron Hicks

Preseason prediction – 2nd, Brett Gardner, Aaron Hicks, Dustin Ackley

For his career, Brett Gardner has a slash line of .264/.346/.388 with around ten home runs in a 162 game average, 33 stolen bases, 52 RBIs and 91 runs. In 2016, Gardner hit .261/.351/.362 with 7 HRs, 16 SBs, 41 RBIs and 80 runs. So, in many ways, he was very close to his career averages, except for at stolen bases, which is such an essential part of his game.

Gardner had a decent year defensively, but better than anyone else in the division. His range was above average, and his dWAR was 0.8, helping him to an overall WAR of 3.4 in 137 games started at the position. Gardner BY FAR started the most games at the position in the division.

Aaron Hicks started 20 games, and he continues to overwhelm after coming over from Minnesota. He hit under .200 for the New Yorkers.

So, after this mess, and that is what I think it is, how did I rank Gardner and New York first?

Well, Gardner played the entire season without issues. Tampa and Dickerson started more at DH, and his fellow primary starters at the position hit under .200 or dealt away. Baltimore Orioles’ top left fielder played sparingly in the first month, and still was kept away from left-handers. Reimold continued to struggle.

Michael Saunders had a great first half, but hit well below .200 in the second half, and Melvin Upton hit under .200 after being traded. As for the Red Sox, a whole number of guys played at the position, one a typical utility infielder, another a guy ho was supposed to be the fourth outfielder, and then Benintendi won the job over.

Next: Baltimore Ravens Dominant Defense Carrying Team

I don’t like these rankings, but that is the way I think it plays out. Let’s hope there are some upgrades in the offseason.

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