Final answer:
WAR, or Wins Above Replacement, is a baseball statistic that measures a player's total contributions to their team in terms of additional wins compared to a replacement-level player.
Step-by-step explanation:
The WAR statistic, which stands for Wins Above Replacement, is a comprehensive metric used in baseball to summarize a player's total contributions to their team. Essentially, WAR quantifies how many more wins a player would provide compared to a replacement-level counterpart who might be a minor league or bench player. It integrates various aspects of play, including hitting, base running, and fielding, for position players, and for pitchers, it evaluates their run prevention abilities. A higher WAR value indicates a more valuable player to a team.