2022 MLB Divisional Previews: AL West

(Using FanGraphs 2022 projections, odds courtesy of DraftKings)

Projected Standings

Team	W	L	W%	Odds to win Division	Odds to make Playoffs
Astros	89	73	.550	-175	-400
Angels	83	79	.513	+400	+140
Mariners	80	82	.491	+450	+175
Rangers	75	87	.464	+1500	+650
Athletics	70	92	.430	+5000	+1100

Houston Astros

Key Additions

Niko Goodrum, UTIL (agreed to one-year contract)
Héctor Neris, RP (agreed to two-year contract)

Key Subtractions

Carlos Correa, SS (signed with Twins)
Zack Greinke, SP (signed with Royals)
Kendall Graveman, RP (signed with White Sox)
Yimi Garcia, RP (signed with Blue Jays)

Players to Know (with 2022 ATC projected stats):

Kyle Tucker, OF: .279 AVG, .529 SLG, 32 HRs, 87 Runs, 95 RBIs, 17 SBs
Justin Verlander, SP (missed 2021): 10 wins, 3.65 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 27.9 K%

Mar 18, 2022; Jupiter, Florida, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) delivers a pitch from the bullpen prior to the game against the St. Louis Cardinals during spring training at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Angels

Key Additions

Noah Syndergaard, SP (signed to one-year contract)
Michael Lorenzen, SP (signed to one-year contract)
Ryan Tepera, RP (signed to two-year contract)
Tyler Wade, INF (acquired from Yankees)

Key Subtractions

Alex Cobb, SP (signed with Giants)
Dylan Bundy, SP (signed with Twins)

Players to Know (with 2022 ATC projected stats):

Mike Trout, OF: .281 AVG, .578 SLG, 37 HRs, 98 Runs, 95 RBIs, 7 SBs
Shohei Ohtani, SP/OF: 9 wins, 3.59 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 28.2 K% & .261 AVG, .548 SLG, 38 HRs, 100 Runs, 94 RBIs, 22 SBs

FILE PHOTO: Apr 3, 2022; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) grounds out to first during the second inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo

Seattle Mariners

Key Additions

Jesse Winker, OF (acquired from Reds)
Eugenio Suarez, 3B/SS (acquired from Reds)
Robbie Ray, SP (agreed to five-year contract)
Sergio Romo, RP (agreed to one-year contract)
Adam Frazier, INF (acquired from Padres)

Key Subtractions

Kyle Seager, 3B (retired)
Yusei Kikuchi, SP (signed with Blue Jays)
James Paxton, SP (signed with Red Sox)

Players to Know (with 2022 ATC projected stats):

Julio Rodríguez, OF (top prospect): .277 AVG, .463 SLG, 22 HRs, 77 Runs, 73 RBI, 16 SBs
Robby Ray, SP: 11 Wins, 3.64 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 31.3 K%

Mar 31, 2022; Peoria, Arizona, USA; Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez (44) singles in the third inning against the Cleveland Guardians during spring training at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

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Texas Rangers

Key Additions

Corey Seager, SS (agreed to 10-year contract)
Marcus Semien, 2B/SS (agreed to seven-year contract)
Jon Gray, SP (agreed to four-year contract)
Kole Calhoun, OF (agreed to one-year contract)
Mitch Garver, C (acquired from Twins)
Greg Holland, RP (agreed to one-year contract)
Brad Miller, UTIL (agreed to two-year contract)

Key Subtractions

Jose Trevino, C (traded to Yankees)
Isiah Kiner-Falefa, SS (traded to Twins)

Players to Know (with 2022 ATC projected stats):

Core Seager, SS: .288 AVG, .503 SLG, 24 HRs, 81 Runs, 82 RBI, 2 SBs
Jon Gray, SP: 10 Wins, 4.17 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 23.2 K%

Apr 3, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jon Gray (22) throws a pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning during a spring training game at American Family Fields of Phoenix. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

Oakland Athletics

Key Additions

None

Key Subtractions

Sean Manaea, SP (traded to Padres)
Matt Chapman, 3B (traded to Blue Jays)
Matt Olson, 1B (traded to Braves)
Chris Bassitt, SP (traded to Mets)
Starling Marte, OF (signed with Mets)
Mark Canha, OF (signed with Mets)
Josh Harrison, UTIL (signed with White Sox)

Players to Know (with 2022 ATC projected stats):

Sean Murphy, C: .226 AVG, .423 SLG, 18 HRs, 47 Runs, 51 RBI
Frankie Montas, SP: 12 Wins, 3.64 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 26 K%

Sep 14, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Frankie Montas (47) pitches against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

AL West Best Bets

PICK: Seattle Mariners to make the playoffs (+175)

WHY: This feels like the year we see the Mariners really take a leap. They’ve made some solid additions in the offseason and are also calling Julio Rodríguez up at the start of the season, which shows they’re more concerned about winning than hoarding service time. Rodríguez has shown early on that he likely belongs at this level right now, so the lineup will be fairly dynamic, and the bullpen is one of the best in baseball. If they even get average starting pitching throughout the season, they could be one of the favorites for an AL Wild Card spot.

PICK: Shohei Ohtani, Most Home Runs (+1000)

WHY: Ohtani is currently projected by ATC to finish in a tie for 3rd in home runs with 38. That would make him three off of the leader, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Ohtani also finished 3rd in all of baseball last year with 46 home runs, two behind, you guessed it, Vlad Jr. Clearly, Vlad Jr. is the betting favorite, but what’s the fun in that? Ohtani is the reigning MVP and absolutely has the thunder in his bat to compete for the home run title. What’s more, the MLB created a new rule this year, dubbed the “Shohei Ohtani Rule” where a starting pitcher can remain in the game as a designated hitter even after they are replaced on the mound. What this means is that Ohtani should get 40+ more plate appearances this year since he had to be removed from games when he was gone pitching last season. If he hit 46 home runs last year and now we’re going to give him more chances to hit, that could absolutely be enough to push him ahead of Vlad Jr.