#20
Texas Rangers
2021 Prediction: #29, 5th in AL West
2021 Fearless Prediction: Chris Woodward will be fired mid-season.
2021 Result: #28, 60-102, 5th in AL West
Most Important Hitter: Adolis Garcia
Most Important Pitcher: Jon Gray
Prospect to Watch: Josh Jung
2022 Prediction: 4th in AL West
The Rangers spent loads of money this offseason establishing their lineup core for the next decade with Corey Seager and Marcus Semien. Now they just need to wait for a young wave of players to work their way through the system. The free agents definitely gave them a jump start, but they still have a ways to go.
#19
Chicago Cubs
2021 Prediction: #21, 4th in NL Central
2021 Fearless Prediction: The only player in the dugout from the Cubs' World Series roster on Opening Day 2022 will be manager David Ross.
2021 Result: #24, 71-91, 4th in NL Central
Most Important Hitter: Nico Hoerner
Most Important Pitcher: Marcus Stroman
Prospect to Watch: Brennen Davis
2022 Prediction: 3rd in NL Central
The Cubs did indeed trade away almost everyone remaining from their World Series run just 6 years ago. Now they are starting over and rebuilding, but they are a little further along than others. They still have a legit ace or two, and they signed one of the ultimate wild cards in the free agent pool this offseason in Seiya Suzuki. They also are in one of the weakest divisions in the league. They could easily flirt with .500 in 2022.
#18
Tampa Bay Rays
2021 Prediction: #11, 3rd in AL East
2021 Fearless Prediction: Randy Arozarena will hit less home runs in 2021 than he did in 2020.
2021 Result: #3, 100-62, 1st in AL East, lost in ALDS
Most Important Hitter: Randy Arozarena
Most Important Pitcher: Shane McClanahan
Prospect to Watch: Shane Baz
2022 Prediction: 4th in AL East
At some point, they way the Rays operate has to catch up with them and lead to a down year. They can't keep dominating the toughest division in baseball. There are only so many wins to go around, and although they have one of the most exciting young players around in Wander Franco, 2022 looks to be the year they struggle.
#17
Minnesota Twins
2021 Prediction: #10, 2nd in AL central, WILD CARD, lose in Wild Card Game
2021 Fearless Prediction: The Twins' top starting pitcher entering the postseason is currently not on their roster.
2021 Result: #23, 73-89, 5th in AL Central
Most Important Hitter: Byron Buxton
Most Important Pitcher: Chris Paddack
Prospect to Watch: Joe Ryan
2022 Prediction: 3rd in AL Central
The success of the Twins in 2022 revolves entirely around whether Byron Buxton can stay healthy. They have a pretty formidable lineup, adding Gio Urshela, Gary Sanchez, and Carlos Correa. Their pitching is pretty unproven, shown by one of their top prospects making his big league debut starting Opening Day. This is a team that could make the playoffs or finish in the cellar or end up anywhere in between. It all depends on their health.
#16
St. Louis Cardinals
2021 Prediction: #1, 1st in NL Central, win World Series
2021 Fearless Prediction: Jack Flaherty win the NL Cy Young Award.
2021 Result: #10, 90-72, 2nd in NL Central, WILD CARD, lost in Wild Card Game
Most Important Hitter: Nolan Arenado
Most Important Pitcher: Steven Matz
Prospect to Watch: Matthew Liberatore
2022 Prediction: 2nd in NL Central
I was really high on the Cardinals last year, picking them for a surprise run to the title. I thought I had something when they went on their crazy run to end the season and make the playoffs, but ultimately ended up short. Now I might be a little too low on them. With star pitcher Jack Flaherty still hurt, their mismatched rotation will have to be strong for their season to be a success. If nothing else, they will be a fun watch as Albert Pujols, Yadier Molina, and Adam Wainwright appear poised to make 2022 a joint farewell tour.
#15
Detroit Tigers
2021 Prediction: #23, 4th in AL Central
2021 Fearless Prediction: Miguel Cabrera will become a 3000/500 hitter in 2021.
2021 Result: #20, 77-85, 3rd in AL Central
Most Important Hitter: Javier Baez
Most Important Pitcher: Casey Mize
Prospect to Watch: Spencer Torkelson
2022 Prediction: 2nd in AL Central
The Tigers are poised for a breakout. They have amassed a ton of young talent reading to emerge, and they went out and signed a leader to anchor their team at shortstop. If Baez can live up to his contract, if Casey Mize and others can show their promise in the rotation, and if a phenom like former #1 overall pick Spencer Torkelson can have a solid rookie season, the Tigers might ride this wide open division to a playoff birth.
#14
San Francisco Giants
2021 Prediction: #18, 3rd in NL West
2021 Fearless Prediction: At least two of the Giants' starting infielders will be traded mid-season.
2021 Result: #1, 107-55, 1st in NL West, lost in NLDS
Most Important Hitter: Brandon Belt
Most Important Pitcher: Logan Webb
Prospect to Watch: Heliot Ramos
2022 Prediction: 3rd in NL West
No one surprised quite as much in 2021 as the San Francisco Giants. I was predicting them to potentially be sellers at the Trade Deadline. Instead, they had the best record in all of baseball. Their leader, Buster Posey, retired which will be hard to replace. If the veterans are able to continue to contribute, and if their pitching staff can dominate again, they could repeat last year's performance, but it will be really tough.
#13
New York Yankees
2021 Prediction: #4, 1st in AL East, lose in ALCS
2021 Fearless Prediction: Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton will hit 100+ hone runs combined.
2021 Result: #7, 92-70, 3rd in AL East, lost in Wild Card Game
Most Important Hitter: Josh Donaldson
Most Important Pitcher: Luis Severino
Prospect to Watch: Oswald Peraza
2022 Prediction: 3rd in AL East
The Yankees always look like they should be one of the best teams in baseball on paper, but the pressure of the bright lights in the Bronx prove to be harder to overcome than anyone realizes. Their lineup is always loaded, with Donaldson being a key addition if he can stay healthy. Their rotation has some holes, and everyone needs to stay healthy. I have them just missing the postseason party, which probably will lead to several firings, starting with Aaron Boone.
#12
Atlanta Braves
2021 Prediction: #6, 1st in NL East, lose in NLDS
2021 Fearless Prediction: Ronald Acuna Jr. wins the NL MVP.
2021 Result: #12, 88-73, 1st in NL East, won World Series
Most Important Hitter: Matt Olson
Most Important Pitcher: Kenley Jansen
Prospect to Watch: Spencer Strider
2022 Prediction: 3rd in NL East, WILD CARD, lose in Wild Card Round
The Braves got hot at the right time and ended up winning it all in 2021. Then they dropped the ball on signing back their leader in Freddie Freeman. Instead, they traded away a lot of top talent from their farm system to bring in Matt Olson, who they signed to the extension they wanted to sign Freeman to. Magical runs like last year don't happen twice. I have them sneaking into the playoffs thanks to the expanded field, but they won't even host a playoff game.
#11
Boston Red Sox
2021 Prediction: #26, 5th in AL East
2021 Fearless Prediction: J.D. Martinez will be traded before the 2022 season.
2021 Result: #8, 91-71, 2nd in AL East, WILD CARD, lost in ALCS
Most Important Hitter: Trevor Story
Most Important Pitcher: Chris Sale
Prospect to Watch: Jeter Downs
2022 Prediction: 2nd in AL East, WILD CARD, lose in Wild Card Round
The Red Sox in 2021 proved how much a manager matters. They were a step away from the World Series with Alex Cora when they were horrible in 2020 without him. The big question mark for them this season is the rotation. If they can get healthy and stay that way, they can dominate again. If not, they will have to outscore a lot of teams (which they have the lineup to do).
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