Predicting the 2022 NL West standings
By David Hill
4. Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are another team with designs on contending in the NL West. For the first time in years, one can see a path towards respectability starting to develop.
It is not just that the Rockies are starting to lock in their core. Extensions to Antonio Senzatela and Ryan McMahon, as well as their surprise signing of Kris Bryant, are giving the Rockies a direction. However, the signings of players such as Jose Iglesias and Alex Colome, solid veterans that could be moved at the trade deadline, show that the front office is finally starting to recognize the value of having players that could be moved at the deadline.
At the same time, it is possible that the Rockies could surprise. They were over .500 in the second half of the season in 2021. Although Trevor Story is no longer in Colorado, having Bryant in the lineup negates that loss. The Rockies are likely a couple of pieces away, but they no longer appear to be lost in the mountains searching for a direction.
3. San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants were the darling of baseball last year, coming out of nowhere to capture the NL West. However, there are plenty of questions surrounding the team heading into 2022.
The Giants needed to remake their starting rotation heading into this season, something that they were able to accomplish. Anthony DeSclafani is back and Carlos Rodon signed a two year deal to be the Giants’ second starter. Joc Pederson brings a championship pedigree to San Francisco. This is still a solid team.
But it is a team filled with question marks. Rodon had a career year in 2021, and the rest of the rotation after him is not exactly consistent. Joey Bart has yet to show that he can handle major league pitching and is a dramatic downgrade from Buster Posey. They will miss his presence, as well as Kris Bryant’s, in the lineup. A repeat seems highly unlikely.