The question: Who has the better outfield, the Reds or Braves?

Rob Neyer

Braves If I were asked to pick the best outfield in 2005, I would probably choose the Cincinnati Reds, because there's a pretty good chance that in 2005, Austin Kearns and Adam Dunn will rank as two of the five or six best hitters in the National League. Even if we assume that Griffey spends most of 2005 on the disabled list -- seems likely, doesn't it? -- if the Reds can just find a decent center fielder, they'll have the best outfield in the league. But it's not 2005 yet, and in May 2003 the Braves have not only the best outfield in the National League, but the best outfield in the world. In left field they've got Chipper Jones, who's got a legitimate shot at the Hall of Fame and, at 31, isn't far removed from his peak years. In right field they've got Gary Sheffield, the Dick Allen of the 21st century, which is to say he's a Hall of Fame hitter who won't make the Hall of Fame because of injuries and immaturity. Right now, though, Sheffield is healthy and he's absolutely killing the ball. And in center field the Braves have Andruw Jones, the premier defensive outfielder of our time ... and a talented hitter who currently leads the Braves with 40 RBI. It used to be the pitching. But this year, the Braves have the best record in baseball because they have the best outfield in baseball.

Jayson Stark

Braves The way to answer this question is: What year is it? If the question was, "Which outfield would you rather have in 2007?" you'd want Adam Dunn and Austin Kearns in the corners, with Ken Griffey Jr. or just about anybody else in center. If the question was, "Which outfield would you rather have had in 1998?" you'd want Griffey and anybody -- even me and Rob Neyer -- in the corners. But the question is, "Which outfield do you want right now?" And how do you not take the Braves? How do you not take three top-of-the-line known quantities like Gary Sheffield, Andruw Jones and Chipper Jones? Andruw catches every fly ball that lands between Georgia Tech and Jimmy Carter's house -- and he's having the most consistent offensive year of his career. Sheffield is finally having the season the Braves got him to have last year. And Chipper is one of the great 100-RBI sure things of modern times. So no matter how much you love where Dunn and Kearns are going, or how much you admire where Griffey has been, it isn't then. It's now. And right now, who has a better outfield than those three guys in Atlanta?

Tom Candiotti

Braves You can't go wrong with either outfield, but if I had to pick one, I'd take the Braves. Chipper Jones, Gary Sheffield and Andruw Jones have more collective experience. With them, it's "been there, done that." Ken Griffey Jr. has experience as well, though he's struggled so much with injuries in recent years. Adam Dunn and Austin Kearns are young and hungry, and they're just starting to come into their own. And Griffey wants to re-establish himself as one of the best players in baseball. But with Andruw Jones, it's tough to find another center fielder in today's game who can do what he does with the glove (you probably have to go back to Willie Mays). And Chipper has made the move to left fairly well. Offensively, both trios are formidable. But I'll take the Braves, because of their skill and experience.

Rob Dibble

Even I wouldn't give an edge to either outfield -- they're both awesome. If Ken Griffey Jr. can stay healthy, he, Adam Dunn and Austin Kearns will own NL pitchers for the rest of the year. The Great American Ballpark could lose 100 home runs just between those three players. Like Griffey, Andruw Jones is one of the best center fielders in baseball today. He and Griffey eat up ground. Gary Sheffield and Chipper Jones are solid defensively, as well. And all three Atlanta outfielders, like the ones in Cincy, will crush NL pitchers all season long. So I say it's a push. I love 'em both.