Predicting the 2022 AL West standings
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.
4. Texas Rangers
The Texas Rangers spent over half a billion dollars in free agency. While it bodes well for their future, they are likely to move up just one spot in the AL West this season.
There is no question that their roster is better than it was. The free agent signings of Corey Seager and Marcus Semien have dramatically changed the dynamic of their lineup. Jon Gray is a viable major league starter, something that the Rangers were missing. Several of their top prospects are on the cusp of the majors as well, making the future bright in Texas.
But that future is not close to being here yet. The Rangers still need a viable top of the rotation arm, something that Gray is not. The bullpen needs plenty of work. And the lineup, as improved as it may be, could still use a few more pieces. Add it all up, and the Rangers are a fourth place team in an improved division.
3. Los Angeles Angels
The Los Angeles Angels are tasked with trying to get Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout into the postseason. They finally took steps towards doing so this offseason.
After years of ignoring their pitching staff and attempting to slap bandages on the problem, the Angels have done something. Michael Lorenzen and Noah Syndergaard may be on one year deals, but they will improve the rotation. The bullpen has been completely overhauled, with Aaron Loup, Ryan Tepera, and Archie Bradley being brought in to set up Raisel Iglesias. The lineup, if healthy, could be dangerous enough for the Angels to push for a playoff spot.
But health is going to be the key factor. Trout has been battling injuries and Anthony Rendon struggled when he was not on the Injured List last year. Syndergaard is not a paragon of health either. Those health concerns could be the difference between a team that vies for a berth in the postseason and one that hovers around .500 all season.
2. Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners snuck up on everyone last year. That will not be the case in 2022.
It was actually a relatively quiet offseason by Jerry Dipoto’s standards. They did add pieces to the lineup, including Jesse Winker and Adam Frazier while signing a hoped for ace in Robbie Ray. However, it is difficult to say if the Mariners are appreciably better than they were at the end of the 2021 season.
If the Mariners are going to take the next step, they need two things to happen. First, their top prospects will need to perform as soon as they are promoted to the majors. Second, Ray will need to prove that his bounceback campaign last year was not a fluke. If that does not happen, the Mariners’ streak of missing the playoffs may well continue.
1. Houston Astros
Yes, the Houston Astros have lost key pieces from their lineup. However, they are still the class of the AL West.
That does not mean that they are devoid of questions. Justin Verlander is the ace of their staff, but he has pitched all of six innings in the past two seasons. Carlos Correa departed for Minnesota, leaving rookie Jeremy Pena as their starting shortstop. Hector Neris, who has been napalm at times in Philadelphia, was brought in to replace Kendall Graveman. The Astros have definitely taken a step back to the rest of the division.
But this is a team that knows how to win. They have been to the World Series three times in the past five years, and almost made it for a fourth year when they shocked everyone in the 2020 postseason. Sometimes, that is enough to overcome what could appear to be a lack of talent. The Astros are certainly hoping that is the case.
Next. Predicting the 2022 AL Central standings. dark
Who do you think will take home the AL West title? Let us know in the comments below!