Love it or hate it, Wins Above Replacement (WAR) has become one of the most prominent statistical measures when talking about a baseball player's production.

It's meant to be an all-encompassing gauge of a player's value, measured in how many wins he is worth over the course of a season relative to the league-average performer, combining offense, defense and baserunning into one statistical measure.

However, since the formula used to calculate the stat is not public knowledge and major statistical outlets Baseball Reference and FanGraphs both use a different formula, there is a lack of continuity that can sometimes make it a difficult stat to fully understand.

In an attempt to sprinkle some subjectivity back into the equation, we've taken a look at each team's current WAR leader based on FanGraphs WAR and given our take on whether we buy or sell them as the most valuable player on their respective team.

Let the debate begin.

Arizona Diamondbacks

WAR Leader: 2B Ketel Marte (5.4)

The longest-tenured player on the D-backs roster, Ketel Marte is having, arguably, the best season of his career.

The 30-year-old is hitting .298/.370/.560 for a career-high 157 OPS+ with 20 doubles, 30 home runs, 81 RBI and 81 runs scored in 116 games.

With the D-backs charging up the standings since the All-Star break, he could end up in the top five in NL MVP balloting if he returns quickly from an ankle injury and finishes strong.

Buy or Sell: Buy

There is an interesting case to be made for young right-hander Brandon Pfaadt and the value he has provided as an effective workhorse in a banged-up rotation, but Marte is the clear choice.

Atlanta Braves

WAR Leader: SP Chris Sale (5.2)

After three injury-plagued seasons and a good-not-great return to health in 2023, Chris Sale was traded to the Braves during the offseason in exchange for young infielder Vaughn Grissom.

The 35-year-old is thriving in his first career season in the National League, going 14-3 with a 2.62 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 187 strikeouts in 140.2 innings, putting him in the mix to potentially win his first career Cy Young.

Buy or Sell: Buy

The moment Spencer Strider was lost for the season, Sale's production became exponentially more important to Atlanta's success, and he has delivered.

Baltimore Orioles

WAR Leader: SS Gunnar Henderson (6.9)

After a 6.2-WAR rookie season in which he took home AL Rookie of the Year honors and finished eighth in AL MVP balloting, Gunnar Henderson has continued his rise to stardom in 2024.

The 23-year-old sports a 166 OPS+ with 62 extra-base hits, 33 home runs, 77 RBI and 98 runs scored, and he has also provided strong defense (4 DRS, 7.1 UZR/150) at shortstop after bouncing around the infield last year.

Buy or Sell: Sell

For as good as Henderson has been, ace Corbin Burnes is the player who has taken this Orioles club from a contender on the rise to a legitimate World Series title threat. Re-signing him should be a top priority this winter.

Boston Red Sox

WAR Leader: Jarren Duran (5.8)

Jarren Duran turned in a breakout 2023 season, and he has been even better this year, hitting .287/.344/.501 for a 130 OPS+ while filling up the stat sheet with 37 doubles, 13 triples, 16 home runs, 62 RBI, 84 runs scored and 31 steals.

The 27-year-old took some time to go from top prospect to impact big leaguer, but the Red Sox now appear to have a homegrown star who is under club control through the 2028 season.

Buy or Sell: Buy

It's tough to overlook Rafael Devers having the best offensive season of his career, but Duran impacts the game in so many ways with his contact skills, extra-base pop, speed and defense that he has provided more wide-ranging value.

Chicago Cubs

WAR Leader: SP Shōta Imanaga (2.7)

Left-hander Shōta Imanaga did not make the jump to Major League Baseball with the same level of hype as fellow countryman Yoshinobu Yamamoto, but he has been every bit as effective in the first season of a four-year, $53 million deal.

The 30-year-old is 9-3 with a 3.11 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 137 strikeouts in 133.1 innings, and he was in the driver's seat of the NL Rookie of the Year race before Paul Skenes exploded onto the scene as a superstar on the rise.

Buy or Sell: Buy

With a 3.77 ERA from the starting staff that ranks sixth in the majors, the starting rotation has been the biggest strength for the Cubs this season. Imanaga has been the best of the bunch in his first season stateside, and he was a deserving All-Star pick as the team's lone representative.

Chicago White Sox

WAR Leader: SP Garrett Crochet (3.8)

Garrett Crochet made his first career start in the big leagues on Opening Day this year, and he quickly emerged as one of the season's breakout stars and one of the few bright spots on a floundering White Sox team.

Before the club started limiting his innings at the start of July, he went 6-6 with a 3.02 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 141 strikeouts in 101.1 innings while limiting opposing hitters to a .198 average over his first 18 starts.

Buy or Sell: Buy

The White Sox don't have a single position player who has tallied 1.0 WAR this season, and the only other pitcher to reach that mark is Erick Fedde (2.7), who is now pitching for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Cincinnati Reds

WAR Leader: Elly De La Cruz (5.4)

Elly De La Cruz showed flashes of his immense talent as a rookie when he tallied 13 home runs and 35 steals in 98 games, but he also struck out 144 times at a 33.7 percent clip and posted a lackluster .300 on-base percentage.

The 22-year-old has taken the next step toward superstardom this year, hitting .257/.341/.481 for a 125 OPS+ with 28 doubles, 21 home runs and 59 steals while providing solid defense as he settles in as the everyday shortstop.

Buy or Sell: Buy

Ace Hunter Greene deserves a mention for the step forward he has taken to emerge as one of the best pitchers in the National League, but De La Cruz is the clear choice for the havoc he wreaks in the batter's box and on the base paths.

Cleveland Guardians

WAR Leader: 3B José Ramírez (4.7)

Third baseman José Ramírez has finished in the Top 10 in AL MVP voting six times in the past seven years, and he will likely appear on plenty of ballots again this season as the leader of a Guardians team eyeing a deep October run.

The 31-year-old is hitting .275/.331/.534 with 27 doubles, 32 home runs, 101 RBI, 93 runs scored and 29 steals, leaving him just one stolen base away from the second 30/30 season of his career.

Buy or Sell: Buy

Steven Kwan is having a great season setting the table for an improved Cleveland lineup, and it's worth giving closer Emmanuel Clase a mention here as well, but J-Ram is no doubt the team MVP.

Colorado Rockies

WAR Leader: OF Brenton Doyle (3.4)

Brenton Doyle hit just .203 with a 53 OPS+ in 431 plate appearances as a rookie, but he staked his claim to the starting center field job by winning Gold Glove honors and providing enough positive value defensively to offset his struggles at the plate.

The 26-year-old continues to provide solid defense in center field, but he has taken his offensive game up several notches this year, hitting .269/.329/.468 for a 115 OPS+ with 20 doubles, 20 home runs, 60 RBI, 71 runs scored and 24 steals in 29 attempts.

Buy or Sell: Buy

Shortstop Ezequiel Tovar at least deserves a mention as he has quietly settled in as one of the best young players in the league at his position, but Doyle has undoubtedly been the team's best player.

Detroit Tigers

WAR Leader: SP Tarik Skubal (4.5)

One of the most talked-about trade candidates in baseball leading up to this year's deadline, Tarik Skubal ended up staying put as he tries to become the first Detroit Tigers pitcher to win AL Cy Young honors since Max Scherzer in 2013.

The 27-year-old has led the charge for a Tigers rotation that has been a pleasant surprise, and he leads the AL in all three pitching Triple Crown categories with 14 wins, a 2.49 ERA and 185 strikeouts in 155.1 innings.

Buy or Sell: Buy

Not only is he personally 14-4 on the year, but the Tigers have gone 17-8 in the 25 games that Skubal has started this year. For a team with a 61-65 record overall, that is a significant swing in their favor when he is on the hill.

Houston Astros

WAR Leader: DH Yordan Alvarez (4.1)

One of baseball's elite offensive performers, Yordan Alvarez is having another standout season at the plate, hitting .308/.398/.552 with 29 doubles, 25 home runs and 66 RBI in 119 games.

The 27-year-old provides little value outside of what he does in the batter's box, but he is one of the best pure hitters in baseball. He needs five more long balls for his fourth straight 30-homer season in the middle of the Houston lineup.

Buy or Sell: Sell

How about some love for Hunter Brown as the most important player on the Astros roster this season? His overall numbers don't jump off the page, but over his last 16 starts, he is 10-3 with a 2.32 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 104 strikeouts in 97 innings, logging 12 quality starts during that span while helping fortify a banged-up rotation.

Kansas City Royals

WAR Leader: SS Bobby Witt Jr. (9.0)

If anyone has a realistic shot at chasing down Aaron Judge in the AL MVP race, it's Bobby Witt Jr. who leads the AL in batting average (.352), hits (177) and runs scored (110) while posting a 177 OPS+ with 37 doubles, 11 triples, 25 home runs, 92 RBI and 25 steals.

The 24-year-old has steadily improved over each of his first three seasons in the big leagues, and now he is poised to lead the Kansas City Royals to their first postseason appearance since they won the World Series in 2015.

Buy or Sell: Buy

Tip of the cap to Seth Lugo for the season he is having fronting the starting rotation, but Witt is the clear answer for team MVP.

Los Angeles Angels

WAR Leader: SS Zach Neto (3.1)

Zach Neto played just 48 games in the minors before making his MLB debut less than a year after he was taken No. 13 overall in the 2022 draft. And while he showed some flashes as a rookie, his vast improvement this season has been a pleasant surprise.

The 23-year-old sports a 119 OPS+ with 27 doubles, 19 home runs, 63 RBI, 57 runs scored and 22 steals in 122 games. He is batting .298/.397/.567 with 13 extra-base hits and eight steals in 29 games since the All-Star break, showing continued improvement as the season has unfolded.

Buy or Sell: Buy

Catcher Logan O'Hoppe has cemented himself as a fixture behind the plate for the Angels in the years to come, but Neto has been the best all-around performer by a solid margin.

Los Angeles Dodgers

WAR Leader: DH Shohei Ohtani (6.0)

Even without setting foot on the pitcher's mound, Shohei Ohtani might be on his way to adding a third MVP award to his trophy case.

In his first season with the Dodgers, baseball's biggest superstar is hitting .291/.378/.613 and leading the NL in OPS+ (175), home runs (39), runs scored (94) and total bases (301) while setting the table out of the leadoff spot in the batting order.

Buy or Sell: Buy

This would have been a compelling debate if Mookie Betts had not missed 45 games with a fractured left hand, and now he has shifted back to right field since returning after opening the year as an everyday shortstop for the first time in his career.

Miami Marlins

WAR Leader: SS Xavier Edwards (1.7)

Jazz Chisholm Jr. (1.8) is actually still Miami's WAR leader this season, despite the fact that he was traded to the New York Yankees on July 27. And that just speaks to the glaring lack of top-tier talent on the roster right now.

Meanwhile, Xavier Edwards has only played in 45 games this season, but he is the current leader on the active roster. The 25-year-old has taken over as the primary shortstop since Tim Anderson was cut loose, and he is hitting .343/.426/.422 with 10 extra-base hits and 21 steals in 196 plate appearances.

Buy or Sell: Sell

Slugger Jake Burger is the Marlins' team leader in OPS+ (107), home runs (24), RBI (55) and total bases (188). And while he is hitting just .248 with a middling .299 on-base percentage, his run-production abilities are enough to earn him the nod.

Milwaukee Brewers

WAR Leader: C William Contreras (3.8)

An All-Star in 2022 with the Atlanta Braves and the NL Silver Slugger winner at catcher last year in his first season with the Brewers, William Contreras has been a standout once again in the middle of the Milwaukee lineup.

The 26-year-old is hitting .285/.358/.469 for a 127 OPS+ with 33 doubles, 17 home runs and 72 RBI, and he has also done a nice job anchoring a patchwork pitching staff that has had to navigate losing Corbin Burnes and being without Brandon Woodruff and Devin Williams due to injury.

Buy or Sell: Buy

There was a solid case to be made for Christian Yelich before he suffered a season-ending injury, and shortstop Willy Adames has been his usual productive self at one of the most important positions on the field, but Contreras is the right choice. Shout-out to Trevor Megill for the job he did holding down the closer's role when Williams was sidelined.

Minnesota Twins

WAR Leader: SS Carlos Correa (3.6)

Injuries have limited Carlos Correa to just 75 games this season, and he has been sidelined since July 12 with plantar fasciitis in his right foot.

However, he has been extremely productive when healthy, hitting .308/.377/.520 with 16 doubles, 13 home runs and 47 RBI while earning his first All-Star selection since as a member of the Twins.

There is currently no timetable for his return, but getting him back healthy for the stretch run will be key.

Buy or Sell: Sell

Where would the Twins be this season without Bailey Ober emerging as, arguably, the best pitcher on the staff? The 29-year-old is 12-5 with a 3.54 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 145 strikeouts in 140 innings, and his production has helped offset the loss of Sonny Gray in free agency and a down year from Pablo López.

New York Mets

WAR Leader: SS Francisco Lindor (6.0)

Francisco Lindor started the season with one of baseball's most high-profile slumps, hitting .195/.268/.362 in 194 plate appearances over his first 44 games before he was moved from the No. 3 spot to the leadoff spot in the batting order.

Since making that switch, he is hitting .300/.373/.527 with 24 doubles, 17 home runs, 51 RBI and 19 steals in 381 plate appearances. His 6.0 WAR leads all NL shortstops and trails only Bobby Witt Jr. (9.0) and Gunnar Henderson (6.9) among all players at the position.

Buy or Sell: Buy

It's at least worth mentioning that the Mets are 42-26 (.618) in games that Francisco Alvarez has played in this season, compared to 23-35 (.397) without him, which speaks to his overall impact on the team.

New York Yankees

WAR Leader: OF Aaron Judge (8.8)

Entering play on Wednesday, slugger Aaron Judge is the AL leader in home runs (45), RBI (114), on-base percentage (.463), slugging percentage (.709), OPS+ (222) and total bases (314) as he takes aim at another AL MVP award and 60-homer campaign.

The 32-year-old has 36 more games to hit 15 more home runs and would join Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa as the only players in MLB history with multiple 60-homer seasons.

Judge is also batting .332 and sits second to Bobby Witt Jr. (.352) in the AL batting title race as he has an outside shot at a Triple Crown run.

Buy or Sell: Buy

It's been Judge, Juan Soto and then everyone else for the Yankees this season, and finding more consistent contributions from the rest of the roster will be the key down the stretch if they hope to make a deep October run.

Oakland Athletics

WAR Leader: OF Brent Rooker (3.6)

Brent Rooker came out of nowhere to post a 127 OPS+ with 30 home runs during a breakout 2023 season, finally delivering on the expectations that came with being a first-round pick in his age-28 season.

He's been even better this year, hitting .287/.362/.566 for a 164 OPS+ that ranks seventh among qualified AL hitters while tallying 21 doubles, 29 home runs and 83 RBI in 109 games.

How much longer before Rooker becomes the latest star to be shipped out in a trade by the perpetually rebuilding Athletics?

Buy or Sell: Buy

Outfielders JJ Bleday and Lawrence Butler, catcher Shea Langeliers and closer Mason Miller have all had productive seasons for the Athletics, but Rooker is on another level in terms of his production.

Philadelphia Phillies

WAR Leader: SP Cristopher Sánchez (4.0)

It's not surprising to see a starting pitcher as the WAR leader for the Phillies considering they lead the NL and rank second in the majors with a 3.46 ERA from their starting staff, but it's a bit surprising that the guy atop the leaderboard is Cristopher Sánchez.

The 27-year-old broke through as the team's No. 5 starter a year ago, and he's developed into an All-Star this season, posting a 3.46 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 108 strikeouts in 140.1 innings.

Keeping the ball in the ballpark has been the biggest key to Sánchez's success, as he has allowed just five home runs all season.

Buy or Sell: Sell

It's been a breakthrough season for Sánchez, but team MVP honors belong squarely in the hands of ace Zack Wheeler (12-6, 2.73 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 170 K, 154.2 IP) or slugger Bryce Harper (149 OPS+, 26 HR, 73 RBI).

Pittsburgh Pirates

WAR Leader: SS Oneil Cruz (2.8)

A post-hype sleeper of sorts after his 2023 season was lost to injury, Oneil Cruz has taken a meaningful step forward toward living up to the vast potential he has thanks to an overflowing tool box.

The 25-year-old is hitting .262/.320/.469 for a 120 OPS+ with 27 doubles, 18 home runs, 62 RBI and 14 steals in 112 games. He is still striking out at a 31.8 percent clip, but he's doing enough damage when he does make contact to be an impact player.

Buy or Sell: Sell

The life that Paul Skenes has infused into the Pittsburgh organization since making his debut in May feels like a meaningful shift from rebuilding to contending. And with a 2.30 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 121 strikeouts in 98 innings, his numbers back up the hype.

San Diego Padres

WAR Leader: OFs Jackson Merrill and Jurickson Profar (3.7)

For much of the offseason, the Padres outfield was a giant question mark outside of Fernando Tatis Jr. in right field, but a late move to bring back Jurickson Profar on a one-year, $1 million deal and the decision to shift rookie Jackson Merrill from shortstop to center field turned it into a bona fide strength.

Profar is hitting .290/.387/.474 for a 143 OPS+ with 22 doubles, 20 home runs and 76 RBI in 125 games, putting together a career year more than a decade after he was baseball's No. 1 prospect during his time in the Texas Rangers organization.

Merrill is one of the youngest players in the majors this year at just 21 years old. And on top of learning a new position on the fly, he is hitting .289/.320/.484 with 21 doubles, 17 home runs, 69 RBI and 13 steals.

Buy or Sell: Buy

The idea that these two unexpected standouts would share team MVP honors feels appropriate, and their continued production will drive the Padres toward a playoff berth.

San Francisco Giants

WAR Leader: 3B Matt Chapman (4.2)

One of several Scott Boras clients who saw their free agency stretch deep into the offseason before signing a short-term deal with the ability to opt out this coming winter, Matt Chapman has put together a terrific all-around season for the Giants.

The 31-year-old has a 124 OPS+ with 31 doubles, 20 home runs, 62 RBI and 12 steals, and he has also provided his usual elite defense (11 DRS, 3.5 UZR/150) at the hot corner.

Expect him to leave the final two years and $35 million of his current contract on the table this offseason for another run at free agency.

Buy or Sell: Buy

Workhorse ace Logan Webb deserves some love, but Chapman has been everything the Giants hoped for and more in his first season with the club.

Seattle Mariners

WAR Leader: SP George Kirby (3.7)

The Mariners have four of the best pitchers in the American League, but it's a bit surprising to see George Kirby as the team's WAR leader.

Here's a quick rundown of what those four pitchers have done this season:

• Logan Gilbert: 25 GS, 2.96 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, 155 K, 161.0 IP
• Luis Castillo: 26 GS, 3.51 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 154 K, 153.2 IP
  
• George Kirby: 26 GS, 3.40 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 148 K, 150.2 IP
• Bryce Miller: 25 GS, 3.32 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 133 K, 143.2 IP

Those four have anchored baseball's best starting rotation.

Buy or Sell: Sell

With a MLB-leading 20 quality starts, Logan Gilbert has been the team's most consistent starter and is the most deserving pick for team MVP honors. Catcher Cal Raleigh also deserves a mention for propping up a lackluster offensive attack.

St. Louis Cardinals

WAR Leader: SP Sonny Gray (3.0)

Upgrading the starting rotation was a major focal point for the Cardinals during the offseason, and Gray was their prized acquisition on a three-year, $75 million deal.

The 34-year-old is 11-8 with a 3.91 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 168 strikeouts in 135.2 innings while stepping into the role of staff ace.

However, Gray has struggled to a 5.68 ERA and 1.38 WHIP over his past nine starts, with his ERA climbing by more than a full run during that stretch.

Buy or Sell: Sell

Rookie shortstop Masyn Winn is hitting .274/.324/.418 with 37 extra-base hits and 10 steals in 116 games, and that offensive production is icing on the cake thanks to his elite defense (11 DRS, 4.8 UZR/150) at the most important position on the field.

Tampa Bay Rays

WAR Leader: 2B Brandon Lowe (2.1)

Third baseman Isaac Paredes (2.9) is Tampa Bay's team leader in WAR, but he is now suiting up for the Chicago Cubs after being traded at the deadline, so the team lead among active players belongs to another slugging infielder in second baseman Brandon Lowe.

The 30-year-old has dealt with injury problems throughout his career and has only played in 76 games this season, but he remains one of the best offensive second basemen in the league when healthy.

In 301 plate appearances, Lowe has a 135 OPS+ with 15 doubles, 16 home runs and 48 RBI.

Buy or Sell: Buy

With all the players who were traded at the deadline, Lowe has been the team's most productive hitter even with the team he has missed. Starting pitchers Taj Bradley and Ryan Pepiot deserve a mention, but Lowe gets the nod.

Texas Rangers

WAR Leader: SS Corey Seager (3.7)

It's been a disappointing season for the defending World Series champions, but shortstop Corey Seager continues to be one of baseball's elite offensive players.

The 30-year-old is hitting .271/.352/.502 for a 141 OPS+ with 28 home runs in 113 games, and three years into his 10-year, $325 million deal, he has been the franchise player the Rangers were expecting when they made that huge financial commitment.

Buy or Sell: Buy

Seager is an easy choice for top honors on the Rangers roster, but a shout-out to Josh Smith who did a phenomenal job filling in for Josh Jung at third base while enjoying a breakout offensive season.

Toronto Blue Jays

WAR Leader: 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (4.1)

Since a rocky first month when he hit .229 with a .678 OPS, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is batting .347/.410/.618 with 28 doubles, 23 home runs and 70 RBI in 94 games as a bright spot in a disappointing season for the Blue Jays.

The question now is whether the 25-year-old will sign a long-term extension during the offseason, as 2025 will be his final year of club control before he hits the open market.

If the two sides can't make any progress in negotiations, Guerrero could be one of the most sought-after trade chips of the offseason.

Buy or Sell: Buy

The gap between Vlad Jr. and the rest of the Blue Jays roster this season has been wide enough that this is a no-brainer.

Washington Nationals

WAR Leader: 2B Luis García Jr. (3.0)

The Nationals have a promising middle infield tandem in second baseman Luis García Jr. and shortstop CJ Abrams, and both players have staked their claim to a spot in the team's long-term plans this season.

García, 24, is hitting .294/.330/.459 for a 125 OPS+ with 22 doubles, 14 home runs, 59 RBI and 19 steals in 110 games, building off a promising 2023 season with career-best numbers across the board.

Buy or Sell: Sell

Abrams is hitting .248/.322/.447 with 25 doubles, 18 home runs, 60 RBI and 25 steals, and while García has been a slightly below-average defender at second base, Abrams has strong defensive metrics (4 DRS, 1.1 UZR/150) at the more demanding position.