Houston Astros
Last season: 95-67 | Key additions: None | Key subtractions: Carlos Correa (SS), Zack Greinke (P), Yimi García (P)
Red Sox pitcher Chris Sale on if the Astros 2017 WS championship is tainted: "I’m going to give you my honest opinion. If the Astros were the only team doing it, then yeah, give it back. Take it back. I know for a fact they weren’t" (📹 The Greg Hill Show) pic.twitter.com/uV4LYJpLgv — Michael Schwab (@michaelschwab13) April 4, 2022
The Upside: Three of the last five seasons Houston has taken home the pennant. 2 of them hung on garbage cans. The core of Alex Bregman, Jose Altuve, outfielder Kyle Tucker and designated hitter Yordan Alvarez all return to a and will keep raking. I can’t wait to see what Justin Verlander has left in the tank.
The Downside : Losing Carlos Correa is devastating ,even if everything we hear is true and Jeremy Pena is ready to take over at shortstop. Correa was the team’s best defensive player, one of its best hitters. Yemi Garcia will be missed. Mark My words.
Seattle Mariners
Last season: 90-72 | Key additions: Robbie Ray (P), Eugenio Suárez (3B), Jesse Pinker (OF) | Key subtractions: Kyle Seager (3B), Yusei Kikuchi (P)
The clutch is coming. #SeaUsRise pic.twitter.com/xRnAANMiv0 — Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) April 7, 2022
The Upside: The Mariners added Cy Young winner Robbie Ray. Ray adds left-handed power to the top of the rotation. and an All-Star outfielder in Jesse Pinker. First baseman Ty France and outfielder Mitch Haniger are coming off breakout years, and 21 year old OF Julio Rodríguez is almost too studly for words.
Half Empty: Can Ray back up his 2021 season ? And the team’s last can’t-miss prospect, OF Jarred Kelenic, well there is another question mark, He hit .181 with a .265 on-base percentage in 2021.But has had a strong end of spring . Seattle’s -51 run differential in 2021 needs to be remembered.
Los Angeles Angels
Last season: 77-85 | Key additions: Noah Syndergaard (P), Aaron Loup (P) | Key subtractions: Justin Upton (OF), Alex Cobb (P)
Raise your hand if you're excited to hear this at the Big A tomorrow ✋ pic.twitter.com/8o43NDK9fP — Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) April 6, 2022
Half Full: Mike Trout is healthy , Shohei Ohtani is a legit two-way superstar, first baseman Jared Walsh was great in his first year as an every-day player and third baseman Anthony Rendon is inching his way back to full health. And Patrick Sandoval may be a dark horse in the AL Cy young Race.
Half Empty: Ohtani was the only Angels pitcher who went over 100 innings in 2021. And 21 million dollar man Noah Syndergaard has thrown only two innings since 2019. Trout is now 30 and Ohtani while I’m not predicting anything, he could drop back a bit with his workload. Anthony Rendon needs to stay healthy for this team to succeed and finish above .500 for the first time in 73 year. It just feels that way.
Texas Rangers
Last season: 60-102 | Key additions: Corey Seager (SS), Marcus Semien (2B), Jon Gray (P), Kole Calhoun (OF) | Key subtractions: Isiah Kiner-Falefa (3B), Jordan Lyles (P)
What’s great about @MLB opening day in Texas? The Astros haven’t cheated yet this season and the Rangers fans still have hope. — Aaron Scarbrough (@scarby76) April 7, 2022
The Upside : Corey Seager and Marcus Semien would upgrade almost any middle infield, and even in this heat Jon Gray should look a lot better in Texas as opposed to Coors field. “El Bombi” Adolis Garcia is don’t leave your seat amazing at the dish.
Half Empty: The lineup beyond Seager, Semien and García is down right iffy. The pitching after Gray is downright bad.
Oakland Athletics
Last season: 86-76 | Key additions: see me in two years | Key subtractions: Matt Olson (1B), Matt Chapman (3B), Starling Marte (OF), Mark Canha (OF), Josh Harrison (2B), Yan Gomes (C), Chris Bassitt (P), Sean Manaea (P)
I PRESENT TO YOU THE 2022 OAKLAND A’s pic.twitter.com/nnKbRL6O81 — RGS (@Real_RGS) April 3, 2022
The Upside: the A’s got back a plethora of prospects in various deals. From the deadline and this past winter. Forget Trump, Billy Beane’s “Art of the Deal” is the Book i need. Infielder Tony Kemp was a nice surprise last season. Other than that WOW.. WOW .. WOW … that’s the echo inside the A’s locker room.