I know, it's the middle of November and not much trading or signing has even been done yet, but I'm going to try to predict every teams' 2022 final standings.
Lets start with American League, because I want to save best for last...
AL Central
1. Chicago White Sox (91-71) The White Sox will have most of their 2021 players back, and will probably add a few more as well. So, I expect them to still be in the top of a weak division right now, but one that will be heating in the near future.
2. Detroit Tigers (85-77) The Tigers are already making some moves and are rumored to be interested in FAs like Correa and LHP Rodriguez, and they're going to be ready to start competing before we know it.
3. Cleveland Guardians (83-79) They have a lot of prospects ready to make a difference and are going to keep building up their team little by little. I expect they'll be hovering around 80-87 wins in the next couple years.
4. Minnesota Twins (76-86) The Twins had an extremely off year in 2021, but I expect they'll bounce back a little, although they still have a little ways to go.
5. Kansas City Royals (72-90) They have a long way to go before they start competing, and I expect they'll be at the bottom of the division for a couple years.
AL East
1. Tampa Bay Rays (97-65) They managed somehow to be a great team in 2021 despite losing some good players, and I have the feeling they'll be able to keep it up in 2022.
2. New York Yankees (92-70) (WC) The Yankees have been trying to win and do well, and perhaps this year they actually will. They have been rumored to be interested in some top free agents, so maybe 2022 will be the year for them to start winning.
3. Toronto Blue Jays (88-74) The Blue Jays were so close to reaching the playoffs in 2021, and between possibly losing both Ray and Matz, and fighting in a stacked division, they will probably do well, but just barely miss playoffs.
4. Boston Red Sox (81-81) Their sudden ability to win games in 2021 was certainly not expected, and having many players going to free agency I doubt they'll be that good in 2022.
5. Baltimore Orioles (63-99) Surely they'll be making some headway in their rebuild, and 63 wins is 11 more than this year.
AL West
1. Houston Astros (92-70) They'll be still hanging around at the top of the division for a little while, but losing some key players will likely lead to a few less wins.
2. Seattle Mariners (89-73) (WC) Can they do it again in 2022? I think they can, especially if they sign some bigger-names this offseason, and those prospects are getting ready!
3. Los Angeles Angels (84-78) Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani will be ready to go in 2022, and with them targeting starting pitching, I think we'll finally see some improvement, though maybe not enough to reach the playoffs
4. Oakland Athletics (80-82) They're going through a big payroll cut, and they won't have a lot of their players in 2022, so I'm prepared for them to be going downhill.
5. Texas Rangers (72-90) I see the Rangers coming up slowly but surely, and with them in the mix for some top free agents, I can see them improving by 12 wins, or even more possibly.
Now for the NL, which is so unpredictable that I'm probably going to be way off...
NL Central
1. Milwaukee Brewers (93-69) Woodruff, Burnes and Peralta will be back, but they'll need to get some better offense to get where they need to be. I see them down by 2 wins in 2022, but still at the top of the division.
2. St Louis Cardinals (86-76) They'll have their stellar defense back, and I think they'll be able to hold onto 2nd place in the division for at least one more year.
3. Chicago Cubs (83-79) That's right, back past the even point, but not competing yet... Pitching should be improved, and if Schwindel and others keep it up, I can see them getting to 83 wins.
4. Cincinnati Reds (77-85) They seem to be on a payroll cut, and having already lost Barnhart and Miley, it's hard to see them doing well in 2022. I think 77 wins is a fair guess for the Reds.
5. Pittsburgh Pirates (69-93) Another rebuilding team that I can see some progress being made, with prospects and all, but I don't see a major move up the standings.
NL East
1. Philadelphia Phillies (89-73) The NL East division will be weaker division it seems in 2022, and the it just might be the Phillies' year. If they strengthen their pitching and add a couple hitters this offseason, I can seem them winning this close division.
2. Atlanta Braves (87-75) (WC) I don't see them being as strong as a team in 2022, especially if Rosario, Pederson, Soler, and Freeman all leave. But I do see them doing tolerably well, perhaps even a close 2nd place behind the Phillies
3. Miami Marlins (84-78) They are quietly becoming a strong team, and after a disappointing 2021 I can see them making big steps to competing, even to getting 84 wins.
4. New York Mets (72-90) The Mets are just a mess right now, and I doubt it's going to get any better quickly. Going down to 72 wins seems probable, due to management and losing players to free agency.
5. Washington Nationals (69-93) While not a deep rebuilding team like the Orioles, they still have a lot of work to do, and they'll be right around the bottom of the division for a little while.
NL West
1. Los Angeles Dodgers (100-62) They'll likely be back at it in 2022, despite possibly losing Taylor, Seager, and a few others, and I think we can expect them to be at the top of the division next year.
2. San Francisco Giants (89-73) (WC)That's a decent sized drop from this year, but they'll be losing some key players, both to retirement and free agency, so I think we can expect them to do well, but not as well as in 2021.
3. San Diego Padres (86-76) They were one of baseball's most hyped teams going into 2021, but they were a big disappointment, and though I see them progressing some, not enough to reach the playoffs.
4. Colorado Rockies (78-84) The Rockies have been slowly rebuilding, and losing some players to free agency might hold them back some. I gave them a few more wins, however, although it'll be awhile before they will be competing.
5. Arizona Diamondbacks (61-101) It'll take them awhile to be to a place they can start competing, but I see them taking slow steps toward that goal, even if it is only 9 wins above 2021.
So there you have it. My predictions for the 2022 season. I'll bet there will be surprises and teams that suddenly come from nowhere, but as of right now, this is the best I could see.
If you notice, I did place the Cubs at 3rd in central, so I'm not expecting the Cubs to compete in 2022, but you better watch out in 2023!
As always, y'all have a great day!
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