2. 1998 Atlanta Braves - 37.3 WAR
The Braves teams of the 1990's are far more well-known for how insane their pitching was and for good reason, but the 1998 Atlanta Braves' offense comes in as the second best in franchise history with 37.3 rWAR. It is not a coincidence that this is the Braves team that won 106 games and cruised to the NL East division title before eventually losing to the San Diego Padres of all teams in the 1998 National League Championship Series four games to two.
This lineup was loaded with four All-Stars in Chipper Jones, Andres Galarraga, Javy Lopez, and current Braves bench coach Walt Weiss. However, it was a young centerfielder by the name of Andruw Jones that led the team in WAR at 7.4 during the 1998 season. Chipper was second among the position players with 7.0 WAR of his own with Galarraga placing third with 5.0 rWAR.
When you put that level of offensive production with a starting pitching staff that has three Hall of Famers in it, it is more surprising that they didn't just waltz to the World Series. However, anything can happen in a short series and the Padres got hot at the right time.
1. 1957 Milwaukee Braves - 38.4 WAR
Finally, we come to the best offense, by WAR, in Braves' franchise history in the 1957 Braves. Unsurprisingly, this was a squad that was able to finish the job and take home a World Series title 4-3 over the Yankees after they finished the season 95-59-1. There were no issues with the pitching staff here as Warren Spahn was at the height of his powers and the team's ERA for the season was 3.47. That'll do it.
However, the offense is the focus here and again it was Hank Aaron and Eddie Mathews leading the charge. Aaron put up an 8.0 rWAR season where he hit 44 home runs and posted a .978 OPS. Mathews wasn't far behind him with 7.4 WAR and 32 dingers of his own. Johnny Logan and Red Schoendiest each put up around 4 WAR and made it to the All-Star Game as well.
What is crazy to think about is that here you have a lineup with two all-time greats in Aaron and Mathews plus a bunch of great production throughout the lineup. If the 2023 Braves can just keep the pace they are on right now, they will pass this squad and officially become the greatest offense in franchise history (and maybe in league history)...although just barely.