By: Tyler Liddick on April 4th, 2022
MLB 2021 Review & Recap: 2021 was the return of the full season, the return of fans, the return to normalcy as America’s favorite pastime returned to regularly scheduled programming. The Atlanta Braves won the 2021 World Series, after hovering around .500 all year before making a bevy of moves before the deadline to bolster their lineup and push for the title. We saw the return of the two way player, as Shohei Ohtani pitched for 130 innings and finished with a 9-2 record and a 3.18 ERA. Ohtani also hit for 46 homers and a .257 average while winning the AL MVP.
We enter 2022 with the Dodgers as favorites to win the World Series once again, after all, they did add Freddie Freeman in the offseason. The AL east looks to be the most competitive division with even the Orioles getting better, there will be no easy games. I also have a few sleeper teams to take small bets on for a World Series run. All the money this offseason was spent on middle infielders, the largest contract going to Corey Seager in Texas for 10 years at 325 million. Carlos Corea switched teams as well as Marcus Semien both signing for over 100 million dollars. We also finally saw the Rays spend some money, as they locked up Wander Franco for 11 years 182 million.
I have no division future plays in the AL east, maybe a small wager on Aaron Judge to win MVP, he is in a contract year. I do like the Braves, Brewers and Astros all to repeat as division Champions. I think the Dodgers will win the NL West, and it won’t be as competitive as last season either. It will be interesting how the regular season plays out, with 12 teams now making the postseason, three division winners, and three wild card spots. If you are looking for early season Championship futures, I like the Blue Jays, Brewers, Dodgers, Braves and Houston. I don’t recommend buying futures now, it’s a long season and value fluctuates a lot. Sign up for The Line Movers and get all of our baseball plays sent directly to your phone, all season long.
MLB 2022 Preview & Predictions: To best prepare you for the 2022 season, I have compiled a list of all 30 MLB teams, biggest off season additions, departures, resignings, and retirements. I will also provide you with a win total over/under prediction for all 30 teams following each team's breakdown. We will start with the World Series Champs, in the NL East, and work our way west, team by team, division by division.
National League East: Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, Miami Marlins, Washington Nationals
Atlanta Braves: The Braves finished 2021 88-73, and won the NL east by 6.5 games. The Braves then used some great starting pitching, a few big time spot performances from the bullpen, and some hot bats to win their first world series title since 1995. Atlanta let Freddie Freeman walk this offseason, signed Eddie Rosario and traded for Matt Olson to replace Freeman. The Braves will be getting Acuna back from a torn ACL and Mike Soroka back from a torn achilles so they should be primed to have a better regular season than the 2021 campaign.
Who’s new: Matt Olson (1B), Kenley Jansen (RP), Kirby Yates (RP), Manny Pina (C), Collin Mchugh (RP), Alex Dickerson (LF).
Who’s leaving: Ehire Adrianza (3B), Freddie Freeman (1B), Cristian Pache (CF), Jorge Soler (OF), Johan Camargo (3B), Joc Pederson (OF), Drew Smyly (SP), Chris Martin (RP), Steven Vogt (C).
Who’s coming back: Mike Soroka (P), Ronald Acuna Jr. (OF), Eddie Rosario (OF)
Over/Under Prediction: Over 90.5 regular season wins at DraftKings. 1u
Philadelphia Phillies: The Phillies finished 82-80, in second place in the NL east. The Phillies made an improvement from the shortened pandemic year, but the pitching staff was still thin, and with Nola not being the sure fire ace of years past, it took a dominant year from Wheeler, and Harper to keep the Phillies afloat. Wheeler was a respective Cy Young candidate, while Harper was also the NL MVP. Big moves in the off season to put some bats around Bryce Harper has the Phillies looking to build off their solid finish to 2021. The goal isn’t too far out of reach if they can improve from the 6th worst bullpen, adding four veteran relief pitchers should make a difference.
Who’s new: Kyle Schwarber (OF), Nick Castellanos (OF/DH), Brand Hand (RP), Jeurys Familia (RP), Ryan Sheriff (RP), Corey Knebel (RP)
Who’s leaving: Matt Moore (SP), Brad Miller (2B), Hector Nerris (RP), Andrew McCutchen (OF)
Who’s coming back:
Over/Under Prediction: Over 85.5 currently available at DraftKings
New York Mets: The Mets went out and got themselves some starting pitching this off season. Signing Max Scherzer and trading for Chris Bassitt from Oakland. They chose to let Javier Baez walk. Adding Starling Marte and Mark Canha both from Oakland to add some speed and power. New York will look to stay competitive and make moves around the trade deadline. The biggest question this year is if they can produce in days that Jacob Degrom starts, and will they bring back Michael Conforto, who had his worst statistical season of his career.
Who’s new: Starling Marte (CF), Eduardo Escobar (IF), Mark Canha (OF), Max Scherzer (SP), Chris Bassitt (SP)
Who’s leaving: Noah Syndergaard (P), Marcus Stroman (P), Javier Baez (SS), Rich Hill (SP), Brad Hand (RP), Aaron Loup (RP), Jeurys Familia (RP)
Who’s coming back:
Over/Under Prediction: Under 91.5 currently available at Fanduel Sportsbook (2u). The play here is dependent on a healthy pitching staff all year, with an aging Scherzer, and Degrom coming off of an injury plagued season. I also think the NL east got better all around with the exception of the Washington Nationals.
Miami Marlins: Huge sleeper team, with a young corps of pitching, competing in a division as the 4th best team. The Marlins have a solid 1-2-3 in Alcantara, Lopez, and Rogers. The Marlins also went out and signed Jorge Soler, and Avisail Garcia to add some potential power to their line up.
Who’s new: Avisail Garcia (OF), Jorge Soler (OF)
Who’s leaving:
Who’s coming back:
Over/Under Prediction: 77.5 no play, I lean under here.
Washington Nationals: The Nationals were not letting Trea Turner walk as they did with the likes of Anthony Rendon, and Bryce Harper. Signaling a rebuild with a massive amount of pressure. Juan Soto contract looming as his free agency of 2024 approaches quickly. There is little doubt that this will be the Nationals third straight season in the NL East cellar. The players they brought in below all signal they’re buying time until the 12 prospects they traded for last season are MLB ready. This is going to be a bad ball club with prospects being the only bright spot. The Nationals now wait to see how Josiah Gray, Keibert Ruiz, Luis Garcia, Carter Kieboom perform to begin rebuilding and provide support for Juan Soto.
Who’s new: Nelson Cruz (DH), Maikel Franco (3B), Ehire Adrianza (IF), Anibal Sanchez (SP), Steve Cishek (RP), Cesar Hernandez (2B)
Who’s leaving: Ryan Zimmerman (1B/3B) retirement.
Who’s coming back:
Over/Under Prediction: 69.5 no play.
American League East: Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto Blue Jays
Baltimore Orioles: Orioles fans finally have something to look forward to. At some point in the 2022 season we will see the Number 1, and Number 8 prospect debut for the Baltimore Orioles. Catcher Adley Rutschman and starting pitcher Grayson Rodriguez will be key additions to Cedric Mullins, John Means, and Ryan Mountcastle. This is an Orioles team we are going to finally have to be cautious with playing the team total season under. Cedric Mullins is the first ever 30 and 30 guy in Baltimore history, Mountcastle hit 33 homers, and Mancini is a solid veteran to have in the center of your lineup.
Who’s new: Jordan Lyles (SP), Robinson Chirinos (C).
Who’s leaving: Pedro Severino (C)
Who’s coming back:
Over/Under Prediction: 61.5 -110 on Fanduel, and I like this over. No recommended play.
Boston Red Sox: The Red Sox made little to no moves in free agency. Signing Trevor Story to a 6 year 140 million dollar deal was their only addition. The Red Sox will hope that the likes of Hernandez, Devers, and Dalbec will continue to get better and become key producers. Boston starts the season with a few question marks at the starting pitching position, Sale having a stress fracture in his ribs, Rich Hill being 42 years old, the loss of Eduardo Rodriguez, and an always questionable James Paxton.
Who’s new: Trevor Story (MI), Rich Hill (SP), Jake Diekman (RP), Michael Wacha (SP).
Who’s leaving: Martin Perez (SP), Adam Ottavino (RP), Kyle Schwarber (OF), Eduardo Rodriguez (SP), Jose Iglesias (SS), Garrett Richards (SP)
Who’s coming back:
Over/Under Prediction: 85.5 no play.
New York Yankees: The Yankees brought back Anthony Rizzo this offseason, and have sent multiple offers to Aaron Judge. Unlikely a deal gets done with Judge before the season, this year could propel him to a Mike Trout contract if he can produce on an MVP level. Judge wants to stay in New York, and he seems like a lifetime Yankee. Yankees starting pitchers should be able to breathe a sigh of relief as it's impossible for this team to endure more lineup changes and injuries than they did last season. New York failed to land any of the big name shortstops in the offseason and could struggle at the position all year long with no signs of prospect help on the way.
Who’s new: Josh Donaldson (3B), (C) Ben Rortvedt, and (IF) Isiah Kiner-Falefa all acquired in a trade from MIN for Urshela, and Sanchez
Who’s leaving: Corey Kluber (P), Rougned Odor (2B), Clint Frazier (OF), Andrew Heaney (RP), Luke Voit (1B), Gio Urshela (IF), Gary Sanchez (C)
Who’s coming back: Anthony Rizzo (1B)
Over/Under Prediction: 92.5 no play, This depends on the health of the offense, and I can’t bet on something I can’t depend on.
Tampa Bay Rays: The Rays will be without starter Tyler Glasnow for the entire season as he will be recovering from Tommy John surgery. The Rays spent some money on their future when they signed Wander Franco to an 11 year 182 million dollar contract. The Rays will need to find a way to replace Nelson Cruz, hope that Kluber can return to Cy Young contending form, and hope Shane Baez is a formidable number 1 or 2 starter. This team will be fighting for a wild card spot as in a tough AL East division.
Who’s new: Corey Kluber (P)
Who’s leaving: Michael Wacha (SP), Nelson Cruz (DH), Rich Hill (SP)
Who’s coming back:
Over/Under Prediction: 89.5 no play
Toronto Blue Jays: Vlad Guerrero Jr finished second in the AL MVP voting, and alongside Bo Bichete this was the best offense in baseball. The Blue Jays lost two key pieces to their 91 win ball team last year. Robbie Ray and Marcus Semien both signed big deals, one with the Mariners, the other going to the Rangers. Toronto acquired Kevin Gausman who had a great season for the SF Giants in 2021, and will rely on Gausman, Berrios and Manohah, to lead the way as they look to compete in the AL East. The Blue Jays will be back in Toronto this year as they spent last year in South Florida. That should lead to big crowds and a boost to home field advantage. I expect an all around great year for the Blue Jays but with the win total being set at 92.5 I can't recommend it.
Who’s new: Matt Chapman (3B) acquired in a trade with Oakland, Kevin Gausman (SP), Yimi Garcia (RP), Yusei Kikuchi
Who’s leaving: Robbie Ray (SP), Marcus Semein (2B), Corey Dickerson (OF), Steven Matz (SP), Kirby Yates (RP)
Who’s coming back:
Over/Under Prediction: 92.5 (-110) - no play
National League Central: Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Pittsburgh Pirates, St Louis Cardinals, Milwaukee Brewers
Chicago Cubs: The Cubs are in a complete rebuild, they traded away almost every member of the WS team before the deadline last season. The biggest offseason move for the Cubs came when they signed (OF) Seiya Suzuki to a 5 year, 85 million dollar deal. Chicago has two quality starters in Hendricks and Stroman, but they won’t be able to keep themselves competitive on the field at all, I think this team finishes last in the division this year. Look for Hendricks, Contreraes, and Stroman to get traded at the deadline.
Who’s new: Yan Gomes (C), Marcos Stroman (SP), Drew Smyly (SP), Andrelton Simmons (SS), Clint Frazier (LF), Jesse Chavez (RP)
Who’s leaving: Robinson Chirinos (C)
Who’s coming back:
Over/Under Prediction: 74.5, I lean under on this total.
Cincinnati Reds: Cincinnati will look to build around the 2021 NL rookie of the year Johnathan India and their young pitching prospects. Good news is their top prospect, Hunter Greene, is starting the season in the rotation. The Reds have gone into full rebuild mode, trading away Winker, and Suarez while letting Castellanos walk. Joey Votto enters this season as the only valuable piece left for the market and come the trade deadline I see him moving as well. The Reds will probably send him to a contender and let him compete for a ring, he is 38 after all. Cincinnati might be better than Chicago, and Pittsburgh but I do not see this being a .500 ball club this year.
Who’s new: Mike Minor (P) acquired in a trade with Kansas City for Amir Garrett. Justin Dunn (P), Jake Fraley (IF) both acquired in a trade with Seattle for Winker and Suárez.
Who’s leaving: Nick Castellanos (OF), Eugenio Suárez (3B), Jesse Winker (OF), Michael Lorenzen (RP), Amir Garrett (RP), Mychal Givens (RP)
Who’s coming back:
Over/Under Prediction: Under 73.5 wins (1/2u)
Pittsburgh Pirates: The Pirates seem to have an abundance of young talent coming. In 2021 we saw the emergence of Ke’Bryan Hayes, and Mitch Keller. The Bucos await the arrival of Oneil Cruz and Roansy Contreras. I expect this to be a pretty uncompetitive division all year. Bryan Reynolds will look to force ownership to sign him into that long term deal, or a trade with another good season, hitting .302, 24 homers, and 90 RBI in 2021. If the pirates can get some of their young players to perform, they could finish as high as 3rd place in this division.
Who’s new: Jose Quintana (P)
Who’s leaving: Colin Moran (1B), Chad Kuhl (SP), Steven Brault (SP)
Who’s coming back:
Over/Under Prediction: 64.5 I lean the over on this total.
St. Louis Cardinals: The Cardinals come off a 90 win season in 2021, however, they enter 2022 with a pitching staff that has an injured ace (Jack Flaherty) and not much depth, with little to no improvements made in the off season. Dylan Carlson will be back for his second year hoping to shake off the struggles at the play last year. St. Louis is going to need Goldschmidt and Arenado to produce with much higher averages, much like they did before arriving at St. Louis.
Who’s new: Steven Matz (P)
Who’s leaving: Nick Plummer (OF), Matt Carpenter (U)
Who’s coming back: Albert Pujols (DH)
Over/Under Prediction: 84.5 no play.
Milwaukee Brewers: The Brewers maintain a top 5 pitching staff in 2022 with the return of Burnes, Woodruff, and Peralta. Pitching will lead Milwaukee to another NL Central Title, however the odds at -170 are a little too steep to place a futures bet right now. Milwaukee brought in Andrew McCutchen who had a bounce back year, and is also familiar with the division. Christian Yelich’s return to MVP form could lead this team to a deep playoff run, barring injuries the Brewers should be playing October baseball once again.
Who’s new: Andrew McCutchen (OF), Pedro Severino (C)
Who’s leaving: Manny Pina (C), Avisail Garcia (OF), Eduardo Escobar (3B)
Who’s coming back: Brad Boxberger (RP)
Over/Under Prediction: o89.5 -110 1u
American League Central: Cleveland Guardians, Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Minnesota Twins
Cleveland Guardians: Without a solid first half, Jose Ramirez could be on the trade block with an expiring contract at the end of this season. Cleveland has to rely on a strong pitching staff, build around a young dominant closer in Emmanuel Clase, and hope that some of their young talent turns out better than scouts have them ranked. Adding no pieces before the lockout, and still not making any moves after, this looks like a team that knows their fate.
Who’s new:
Who’s leaving: Robert Perez (C), Nick Wittgren (RP)
Who’s coming back:
Over/Under Prediction: 75.5 no play. I lean under on this total.
Chicago White Sox: The White Sox took the misfortune of losing Carlos Rodon in Free Agency and flipped it into turning the 3rd best bullpen to maybe the best heading into 2022. Signing Joe Kelly, and Kendall Graveman to strengthen the bullpen, the White Sox are preparing for postseason play. Adding Josh Harrison was a big upgrade at 2B, his bat will be a special addition to this lineup. The White Sox will have to move Michael Kopech into the starting rotation with Rodon leaving, but having 6 formidable arms in the bullpen makes the game shorter for the starting pitchers. Currently there are negative odds on the White Sox to win the AL Central, my recommendation is no play, or a slow start play if applicable.
Who’s new: Joe Kelly (RP), Kendall Graveman (RP), Josh Harrison (2B)
Who’s leaving: Carlos Rodon (SP), Cesar Hernandez (2B), Ryan Tepera (RP)
Who’s coming back: Leury Garcia signed 3 years for 16.5 million.
Over/Under Prediction: 91.5 no play. I can’t play the over because I’m not sold on the pitching staff on the south side.
Detroit Tigers: The signing of Eduardo Rodriguez should relieve some of the young talented arms the Tigers have. Mize, Manning and Skubal were not as reliable as hoped in 2021, posting a season total 4.42 ERA. Management also brings in Baez who hit for a .299 in his short stint with the Mets. Improvement from the young pitchers and re-signing Matthew Boyd could field a competitive team, AJ Hinch knows how to get the best out of his players and at +700 to win the division keep your eye on this team.
Who’s new: Javier Baez (SS), Andrew Chafin (RP), Michael Pineda (SP), Eduardo Rodriguez (SP), Tucker Barnhart (C)
Who’s leaving: Niko Goodrum (2B), Matt Boyd (SP)
Who’s coming back:
Over/Under Prediction: 77.5 no play. I lean over here. I think they have a competitive team, and should win enough games in the division to make this happen.
Kansas City Royals: Everyone in the Royals organization is anticipating the arrival of Bobby Witt Jr. with a full season in the books for the four young starters they had last year in Singer, Kowar, Lynch, and Bubic. Signing Greinke looks to add some veteran leadership to a young but talented pitching staff. The Royals will depend on their staff to keep them competitive as they have one of the weakest lineups in the AL Central and MLB overall.
Who’s new: Zack Greinke (SP)
Who’s leaving:
Who’s coming back:
Over/Under Prediction: 74.5 no play.
Minnesota Twins: 2021 was the first year Minnesota didn’t exceed expectations in a little while, finishing with just 73 wins. Large portion of this due to a fairly untalented roster, and a bevy of injuries. Minnesota shipped out Berrios at the deadline last year, and Josh Donaldson this offseason. Things could get ugly for this Twins team, spending all their money on Carlos Correa. Minnesota is heading into the season with their top two starters as Sonny Gray and Dylan Bundy. The Twins are looking for Buxton to stay healthy, Polanco to keep improving, and the addition of Carlos Correa to make this a better lineup.
Who’s new: Carlos Correa (SS), Gio Urshela (3B), Gary Sanchez (C), Sonny Gray (SP)
Who’s leaving: Andrelton Simmons (SP), Alex Colome (RP), Michael Pineda (SP)
Who’s coming back: Byron Buxton signs for 7 years and 100 million.
Over/Under Prediction: under 81.5 wins this season for the Minnesota Twins, i don’t think this pitching staff will be competitive. 1u
National League West: Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies. Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres
Arizona Diamondbacks: Arizona finished with 52 wins in 2021 and while this season doesn’t look to be as poor, a strong division puts Arizona’s backs against the wall. Ketel Marte has a rare talent in today’s game, the ability to hit for .300. If Bumgarner and Zac Gallen stay healthy the Diamondbacks have enough pitching to push for a 70 win season. This team is going to be in the bottom of the league offensively and the farm system doesn’t have names we’re all anticipating arrivals of. Arizona has a few years to go before they see a winning team again.
Who’s new: Mark Melancon (RP), Zach Davies (SP), Ian Kennedy (RP)
Who’s leaving: Kole Calhoun (OF), Taylor Clarke (RP)
Who’s coming back:
Over/Under Prediction: 66.5 no play.
Colorado Rockies: The offseason for the Rockies makes little to no sense, they signed Kris Bryant to be a cornerstone of their rebuild. They signed him long term to maybe use him at the trade deadline for more prospects, I can’t wrap my head around this move. Blackmon is aging and the Rockies might have missed the best trade window possible for German Marquez. Sitting at the bottom looking up at the Giants and Dodgers teams, who are both coming off 100 win seasons, and an underachieving Padres team. Adding Kris Bryant should improve this lineup nonetheless, they will need to perform better on the road setting a record for the franchise worst road batting record to date at .217.
Who’s new: Kris Bryant (OF/3B), Alex Colome (RP), Jose Iglesias (SS), Chad Kuhl (SP), Jhoulys Chacin (SP)
Who’s leaving: John Gray (SP)
Who’s coming back: CJ Cron (1B)
Over/Under Prediction: 68.5 no play. I lean over on this number.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Year after year Los Angeles is the best team on paper, yet the Dodgers are left with only a Covid Championship. Cody Bellinger has lost his swing, Clayton Kershaw is getting older, and the Dodgers are still a -240 favorite to win the NL west. This offseason LA signed Freddie Freeman, a long time Atlanta Brave to take care of 1st base for the next six years. Bringing back Chris Taylor who proved to be a big time clutch hitter the past two postseasons will pay dividends, especially with the newly implemented DH rule. The Dodgers lineup is going to be fully loaded when healthy, sporting the likes of Trea Turner, Freddie Freeman, Chris Taylor, Cody Bellinger, Mookie Betts, Max Muncy, and Justin Turner. 2021 was the first year in the last eight that LA failed to win the division and I look for them to reclaim the top spot this year, another LA Dodger NL West crown.
Who’s new: Freddie Freeman (1B), Hanser Alberto (2B), Andrew Heaney (SP), Tyler Anderson (SP), Daniel Hudson (RP), Kevin Pillar (CF)
Who’s leaving: Corey Seager (SS), Max Scherzer (P), Kenley Jansen (RP), Joe Kelly (RP) Corey Knebel (RP), Jimmy Nelson (RP)
Who’s coming back: Clayton Kershaw (SP), Chris Taylor (DH)
Over/Under Prediction: 99.5 and I think they get there.
San Diego Padres: Bob Melvin is the new manager after the Padres collapse last season. All Star (SS) Fernando Tatis Jr will start the season on the DL with an offseason wrist injury, this team needs help in the outfield, and in the bullpen. The Padres didn’t make a splash in free agency, and closer Mark Melancon left as well. The Padres will be looking for starting pitchers Blake Snell and Yu Darvish to carry the load for the majority of the regular season. San Diego fans hope they get Joe Musgrove from SD and not the version from Pittsburgh. This team has a talented young group of players and a solid 1-7 in the batting order. How this team gets through the Fernando Tatis Jr injury is key to how this season will go.
Who’s new: Luke Voit (1B) acquired in trade from the NYY. Hunter Renfroe (OF)
Who’s leaving: Mark Melancon (RP),
Who’s coming back: Mike Clevinger (SP) returning from Tommy John surgery.
Over/Under Prediction: u89.5. I don’t like the chemistry of this team heading into the season. 1u
San Francisco Giants: The Giants won a league best 107 games last year, edging the Dodgers by 1 game to win the NL west. While the Giants did lose Kevin Gausman in free agency, they gained a few guys as well. Carlos Rodon from the White Sox, Matt Boyd from Detroit and Alex Cobb from the Angels. San Francisco will miss long time club house leader and veteran Buster Posey who leaves for retirement. Kris Bryant signed a big deal with Colorado, and you can’t help but think the loss of these two players has a significant hand in the season win total number. There’s still some veterans in town, and I like this win total currently sitting at 85.5, I have to play the over on this total. I can’t see twenty two games of regression, and this division is still going to be bad at the bottom.
Who’s new: Joc Pederson (OF), Carlos Rodon (SP), Matt Boyd (SP), Alex Cobb (SP)
Who’s leaving: Retirement - Buster Posey. Kevin Gausman (SP), Kris Bryant (OF/3B)
Who’s coming back: Brandon Belt (1B), Anthony DeSclafani (SP)
Over/Under Prediction: Over 85.5 (1u) currently available on Fanduel Sportsbook
America League West: Houston Astros, Los Angeles Angels, Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers
Houston Astros: There's six guys who could possibly start here, that's a good problem to have. Houston undoubtedly has the deepest rotation in baseball, and that might have been before the return of Justin Verlander. The loss of Carlos Correa is real, and how the Astros decide to fill that personnel in the locker room is to be determined. Plenty of players remain in order to keep the runs coming. Bregman returns, Altuve, Alvarez, Tucker, and Guirrel the batting champ. Houston remains the favorite to win the AL West.The Astros boost a starting pitching staff of Verlander, Uriquidy, Valdez, Garcia, Odorizzi, and possibly McCullers if he can return from injury. No reason Houston shouldn’t be walking away with this division.
Who’s new: Nike Goodrum (2B).
Who’s leaving: Zack Greinke (SP), Carlos Correa (SS), Kendall Graveman (RP), Brooks Raley (RP), Yimi Garcia (RP),
Who’s coming back: Justin Verlander (P)
Over/Under Prediction: 92.5 no play. They should finish right around this number.
Los Angeles Angels: Shoe Ohtani won the MVP last year as he went 9-2 as a starter for the Angels, and hit 46 homers, 100 RBIs, and 103 runs. That was about the only bright spot as Los Angeles is still struggling to put a winning team around Mike Trout, even after adding Anthony Rendon. Mike Trout is still struggling to stay healthy for an entire season for the Angels as well. The Angels added Noah Syndergaard who has struggled with arm issues the past few seasons. Adding two relief pitchers shows that they are aware of the bullpen struggles, I just don’t know if they assembled the guys to fix the issues. This is going to be another bad year for Los Angeles.
Who’s new: Noah Syndergaard (P), Aaron Loup (RP), Archie Bradley (RP)
Who’s leaving: Alex Cobb (SP), Dylan Bundy (SP), Raisel Iglesias (RP), Steve Cishek (RP)
Who’s coming back: Mike Trout (INJ)
Over/Under Prediction: Under 83.5 wins is my play here at Fanduel sportsbook for 1u. I have a second play here, Mike Trout u36.5 home runs for 1u.
Oakland Athletics: Matt Olson and Matt Chapman are gone, both being traded in the offseason. Chapman to the Blue Jays and Olson to the Braves. The Athletics have started a rebuild letting Starling Marte, Mark Canha, and Josh Harrison walk. They got returns before their stars signed in FA elsewhere. The biggest haul would be Shea Langeliers from the Braves, a catcher who could help the A’s move their top prospect Tyler Soderstorm to 1B permanently. Oakland Traded away Chris Bassitt, and will look for Sean Manaea to play ace, followed by Irvin, and Kaprielian. This Oakland team is going to struggle to score runs all year and will need consistent starting pitching to be competitive.
Who’s new: Cristian Pache (CF), Steven Vogt (C), Shea Langeliers (C)
Who’s leaving: Yan Gomes (C), Starling Marte (OF/U), Matt Olson (1B), Chris Bassitt (SP), Mark Canha (3B), Andrew Chafin (RP), Josh Harrison (2B/UTL), Jake Diekman (RP), Sergio Romo (RP), Matt Chapman (3B)
Who’s coming back: Jed Lowrie (2B)
Over/Under Prediction: 67.5 no play.
Seattle Mariners: The Mariners were movers in the offseason, adding a number 1 pitcher to the staff in Robbie Ray, and trading for Eugenio Suarez, and Jesse Winker from the Reds to prove they are in win now mode. The Mariners fell a game short of the playoffs last season, a team that showed a lot of fight after the front office packed it in at the trade deadline. The Mariners are hoping some of the veterans they traded for can replace the leadership of Kyle Seager who left this off season for retirement. The Mariners are chasing back to back 90 win seasons, and hoping to end the 21 year playoff drought.
Who’s new: Robbie Ray (P), Eugenio Suárez (3B), Jesse Winker (OF)
Who’s leaving: Yusei Kikuchi (SP), Jake Fraley (OF), Justin Dunn (SP), James Paxton (SP), Kyle Seager (3B) retirement.
Who’s coming back:
Over/Under Prediction: 83.5. The offseason moves shows they are going for it. I lean over.
Texas Rangers: The Texas Rangers come into 2022 with high expectations after spending 500 million on their future this off season. All of that money was spent on the middle infield, signing Corey Seager and Marcus Semien, both to long term deals. The Rangers also brought in 3 starting pitchers to put an exclamation point on a big off season. Hopes in Arlington are to end the five year losing streak, however pitching is still a point of emphasis. The sooner that Owen White can start pitching quality innings in the majors the better for the Rangers. The Rangers have a top five farm system, it will be interesting to see how many of these guys are still around when they start winning. Keep in mind all eyes in Texas are on Jack Leiter, the Rangers 1st round pick.
Who’s new: Marcus Semien (SS/OF), Corey Seager (SS), John Gray (P), Matt Moore (SP), Martin Perez (SP), Brandon Workman (RP), Brad Miller (2B)
Who’s leaving: Jordan Lyles (SP), Nick Martinez (SP), Charlie Culberson (2B)
Who’s coming back:
Over/Under Prediction: 74.5 no play.
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