Predicting the 2022 AL West standings
By David Hill
While the AL West had the champion that mostly everyone expected last season, the rest of the standings were a bit of a surprise. That could be the case this year as well.
The Astros were able to reassert themselves atop the division after a down year in 2020, the rest of the division was a bit of a surprise. The Mariners outperformed expectations and metrics to just miss the postseason while a dreadful three week span spelled doom for the A’s. Although the Rangers were expected to finish in the divisional basement, the Angels continued to disappoint.
Predicting the 2022 AL West standings
But a new year means new hope for most of the division. Despite the A’s fire sale, most of the division has been working to improve for the coming season. The Astros hold on the AL West is not as secure as it had been in the past. But will this be the year that they are toppled from their perch once and for all?
Who will take home the crown in the AL West in 2022? Let’s take a look ahead and predict how the division will shake out.
5. Oakland A’s
The Oakland A’s had the core to once again challenge for the AL West title. Unfortunately, they do not have an owner that actually cares about winning.
Chris Bassitt, Matt Chapman, and Matt Olson are already gone. Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas are expected to follow at some point during the season. The A’s spent exactly $1.7 million on major league free agents to bring back Jed Lowrie and Stephen Vogt. Amazingly, that is not the least amount that any team has spent in free agency this offseason.
This is what the A’s do. They go through cycles where they are competitive, then they get rid of anyone making a decent salary for prospects. In theory, they will be ready to compete again in a few years, possibly in time for their new stadium. However, for 2022, they may be one of the worst teams in the game, especially when Manaea and Montas are traded away.