Call to the pen
Fansided

The 5 most disappointing MLB teams for the 2022 season

By Jack McKenney

May 9, 2022; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch (14) holds shortstop Javier Baez (28) back from umpire Nick Mahrley (48) during the ninth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
May 9, 2022; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch (14) holds shortstop Javier Baez (28) back from umpire Nick Mahrley (48) during the ninth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 10, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox manager Tony La Russa (22) looks on from dugout before a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
May 10, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox manager Tony La Russa (22) looks on from dugout before a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

Chicago White Sox

Disappointing is merely an understatement in all honesty. The White Sox were -200 to win the AL Central when the season opened, and were coming off a really positive step forward in their 2021 season. They made the playoffs, and put together a really solid starting rotation that looked to carry them moving forward. They also added reliever Kendall Graveman, outfielder AJ Pollock, and utility player Josh Harrison to bolster roster depth.

Injuries and inconsistency are the story for the White Sox demise. The starting rotation was really bad this year, aside from Cy Young candidate Dylan Cease. Lance Lynn started the first two months on the IL and clearly wasn’t the same when he came back. He lost fastball velocity, and posted an ERA of 3.99. The same goes for Lucas Giolito, who lost 1.2 MPH on his fastball and posted a 5.00 ERA. After losing Carlos Rodon to free agency, the White Sox were forced to piece their rotation together with vets like Dallas Kuechel, Vince Velasquez, and Johnny Cueto. Both Kuechel and Velasquez pitched poorly and were designated for assignment later in the season, and the White Sox were forced to piece pitching together day-by-day.

Offensively, some of Chicago’s most important producers struggled to establish consistency. Yoan Moncada and Yasmani Grandal both had disappointing seasons, struggling mightily offensively.

I truly thought Chicago was the best team in the AL Central and truly could contend in October. In the end, Cleveland was just more consistent offensively despite spending almost nothing in the offseason. This season is obviously a step back for Chicago, and they must decide if they want to bring back franchise first baseman Jose Abreu.

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