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2022 American League East Preview
AP Photos
After a roller coaster lockout in the off-season filled with glimmers of hope and absolute despair, we made it. Baseball is happening on April 7! In preparation for opening day, we’re going to take you through a preview of every division in the MLB, who the manager is, pitching rotations, notable acquisitions, etc. So without further ado let’s take a look at the American League East!
American League East Division
The Tampa Bay Rays may have run away with this division, but don’t be fooled. Any team not named the Baltimore Orioles had an absolutely stellar season. All of those teams had over 90 wins last season. Unfortunately for them, they are all in the same division.
Baltimore Orioles
Last Year’s Results
- 52-110 (.321)
2022 Payroll
- $30,221,166 (30th in the league)
2022 Manager
- Brandon Hyde
2022 Projected Lineup
- Credic Mullins
- Ryan Mountcastle
- Anthony Santander
- Trey Mancini
- Austin Hays
- Rougned Odor
- Ramon Urias
- Jorge Mateo
- Robinson Chirinos
2022 Projected Rotation
- John Means
- Jordan Lyles
- Bruce Zimmermann
- Tyler Wells
- Keegan Akin
Starting from the bottom, we have the Baltimore Orioles. The least expensive payroll in the league had the worst record, surprise surprise. They lost Fernando Abad, Maikel Franco, Matt Harvey, Tanner Scott, Pedro Severino, and Cole Sulser. They gained Robinson Chirinos, Shed Long Jr., Jordan Lyles, Jacob Nottingham, Rougned Odor, and Chris Owings.
The front office doesn’t look like it wants to or cares to put together a competitive team.
Fittingly, Caesars has the Orioles at +15,000 to win the AL East. There’s almost 0% chance they win this division.
Toronto Blue Jays
Last Year’s Results
- 91-71 (.562)
2022 Payroll
- $167,360,605 (11th in the league)
2022 Manager
- Charlie Montoyo
2022 Projected Lineup
- George Springer
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
- Teoscar Hernandez
- Bo Bichette
- Alejandro Kirk
- Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
- Matt Chapman
- Cavan Biggio
- Danny Jansen
2022 Projected Rotation
- Jose Berrios
- Kevin Gausman
- Hyun-Jin Ryu
- Alek Manoah
- Yusei Kikuchi
The Toronto Blue Jays were 4th in the American League East… with 91 wins. They lost Corey Dickerson, Jarrod Dyson, Randal Grichuk, Steven Matz, Reese McGuire, Robbie Ray, Marcus Semien, Joakim Soria, and Kirby Yates. They gained Matt Chapman, Zack Collins, Dexter Fowler, Kevin Gausman, Yimi Garcia, Gosuke Katoh, Yusei Kikuchi, and Raimel Tapia.
The Blue Jays had the best offense in the league last year, hands down. This season they bring back pretty much all of that same lineup. Enough said.
As far as pitching the Blue Jays replaced their Cy Young winner with Kevin Gausman and retained the rest of their rotation. As long as they all stay healthy, this could turn out to be one of the best rotations in baseball.
Caesars has the Blue Jays at +170 to win the AL East. Fair odds, but as far as who will win the East, that will be hard to predict.
Boston Red Sox
Last Year’s Results
- 92-70 (.568)
2022 Payroll
- $195,166,000 (6th in the league)
2022 Manager
- Alex Cora
2022 Projected Lineup
- Enrique Hernandez
- Rafael Devers
- Xander Bogaerts
- J.D. Martinez
- Alex Verdugo
- Trevor Story
- Bobby Dalbec
- Jackie Bradley
- Christian Vasquez
2022 Projected Rotation
- Nathan Eovaldi
- Nick Pivetta
- Tanner Houck
- Michael Wacha
- Rich Hill
The Red Sox enjoyed a lot of success last year and were rewarded for their efforts with… a wild card spot. They lost Jose Iglesias, Adam Ottavino, Martin Perez, Hunter Renfroe, Garret Richards, Eduardo Rodriguez, Danny Santana, and Kyle Schwarber. They gained Jackie Bradley Jr., Jake Diekman, Rich Hill, Derek Holland, James Paxton, Matt Strahm, Trevor Story, and Michael Wacha.
Just about every subtraction they made they had an equal or better addition. The Boston Red Sox look to be just as dangerous this season as they were last season. The only question is, do they have to win over 100 games this season to win the East?
Caesars has the Red Sox at +525 to win the American League East and that might honestly be a steal of a bet.
Tampa Bay Rays
Last Year’s Results
- 100-62 (.617)
2022 Payroll
- $75,347,813 (24th in the league)
2022 Manager
- Kevin Forrest Cash
2022 Projected Lineup
- Brandon Lowe
- Randy Arozarena
- Wander Franco
- Ji-Man Choi
- Yandy Diaz
- Kevin Kiermaier
- Manuel Margot
- Mike Zunino
- Josh Lowe
2022 Projected Rotation
- Shane McClanahan
- Drew Rasmussen
- Ryan Yarbrough
- Corey Kluber
- Luis Patino
One of the lowest payrolls in baseball had the best record in baseball… how exactly does that work? The Rays lost Chris Archer, Nelson Cruz, Tommy Hunter, Jordan Luplay, Collin McHugh, Austin Meadows, David Robertson, Chaz Roe, Michael Wacha, and Joey Wendle. They added Corey Kluber, Brooks Raley, and Harold Ramirez.
Despite the low payroll the Rays still boast an amazing lineup paired with a stellar rotation. Glasnow out for the season hurts, but the addition of Kluber helps that immensely.
Caesars has the Rays as +290 to win the East again. Personally, I don’t like to doubt the Rays and that’s a stellar line.
New York Yankees
Last Year’s Results
- 92-70 (.568)
2022 Payroll
- $252,349,999 (2nd in the league)
2022 Manager
- Aaron Boone
2022 Projected Lineup
- Josh Donaldson
- Aaron Judge
- Anthony Rizzo
- Giancarlo Stanton
- Joey Gallo
- Gleyber Torres
- Aaron Hicks
- Isiah Kiner-Falefa
- Kyle Higashioka
2022 Projected Rotation
- Gerrit Cole
- Jordan Montgomery
- Luis Severino
- Nestor Cortes
- Jameson Taillon
The Yankees tying for second in the AL East with the Red Sox is proof that there is some sort of cosmic humor in the world.
The Yankees lost Albert Breu, Clint Frazier, Brett Gardner, Andrew Heaney, Corey Kluber, Darren O’Day, Rougned Odor, Joely Rodriguez, Gary Sanchez, and Gio Urshela. They gained Greg Bird, Miguel Castro, Josh Donaldson, Marwin Gonzalez, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Tim Locastro, Ben Rortvedt, and Jose Trevino.
The Yankees could really benefit from their players being healthy. That would make their batting lineup even more formidable and their rotation incredibly formidable. Their off-season left a bit to be desired, though, especially for a franchise historically known for its ability to spend big.
Caesars has them at +230 to win the AL East. My prediction is that they won’t be winning the East this year.
