2022 MLB American League East Futures Odds and Picks

Major moves have been made in what becomes a real “arms race” in the American League East, which might be the best in baseball.

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The Toronto Blue Jays took advantage of Oakland’s fire sale, and availed themselves of the free agent process. The Boston Red Sox made a big signing when they brought Trevor Story on board. The Tampa Bay Rays did what they usually do, which is not a lot of spending. And the New York Yankees weren’t the movers and shakers they used to be,which may hurt them in the end.

Let’s take a look at each team in the American League East (listed in alphabetical order):

Baltimore Orioles Team Preview 2022

Baltimore Orioles Team Page

To Win Division: +4500

To Win AL Pennant: +12500

To Win World Series: +20000

Yes, the Orioles are still in the league, although after a 52-win season in 2021, they would have been a candidate for relegation in the U.K.

Do you realize that no Baltimore pitcher won more than six games last season? That’s kind of amazing.

This campaign may be dedicated to how much the O’s are able to get in trade for some of the viable pieces they have,whether it’s Cedric Mullins (a 30-30 guy last season), Trey Mancini (who had 21 homers and is still just 29 years old), closer Cole Sulser (ERA+ of 169) or starter John Means (3.62 ERA, 1.03 WHIP).

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Boston Red Sox Team Preview 2022

Boston Red Sox Team Page

To Win Division: +425

To Win AL Pennant: +900

To Win World Series: +1750

So what’s big in Beantown? Well, home run-hitting Trevor Story signed a six-year, $140 million deal. And one of the more coveted shortstops on the market will actually shift to second base, as he teams up with Xander Bogaerts, the incumbent at short.

Not too many people are worried about the Red Sox scoring some runs, at least under normal circumstances. Story, Bogaerts and Rafael Devers (38 homers,113 RBI last year) and JD Martinez are anchors. Interestingly, Martinez might be used on a part-time basis in the outfield, although his offensive numbers showed a precipitous drop in 2021 when he strayed from the DH spot.

We believe the rough part for the BoSox will be in the starting pitching. Ace lefty Chris Sale (5-1, 3.16 ERA last year) has been lost to a rib injury, at least for a month or two, and this is not the kind of rotation we can see getting them to the ALCS again.

New York Yankees Team Preview 2022

New York Yankees Team Page

To Win Division: +190

To Win AL Pennant: +475

To Win World Series: +1150

While the Mets have become big spenders under the ownership of Steve Cohen, the Yanks did not go crazy on the free agent market, notably declining to bid on shortstops Trevor Story and Carlos Correa. So they will use Isiah Kiner-Falefa as a stopgap until somebody like Anthony Volpe is ready.

With the trade of Gio Urshela to Minnesota, Josh Donaldson takes over at third, although he’s not likely to recapture his MVP form. DJ LeMahieu is going to shift around to different positions, and he might just get back to the form that saw him win batting titles in each league.

Gary Sanchez was traded with Urshela, and although he is deficient in a number of areas, his absence leaves a hole in the offense at catcher. Kyle Higashioka may be Gerrit Cole’s favorite, but the guy hit .181 last year.

Sure, the Yankees have enough people to hit home runs (Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Joey Gallo, Anthony Rizzo) that they could afford to send 2020 HR champ Luke Voit away. But they don’t have an embarrassment of riches in their starting rotation.

Beyond Cole (second in the Cy Young voting in two of the last three seasons), the picture is murky. Injury-plagued Luis Severino won nineteen games in 2018, but has pitched just 18 innings since.

MLB Predictions

Tampa Bay Rays Team Preview 2022

Tampa Bay Rays Team Page

To Win Division: +200

To Win AL Pennant: +600

To Win World Series: +1550

We warned you last year not to count the Rays out, despite player losses. The fact is, they know what they’re looking for, know how to acquire those players, and know how to develop them.

With their payroll, which was incredibly low compared to the Yankees, Red Sox and Blue Jays, they won 100 games and the division title.

When you’re a team that does “bullpenning” through the use of “openers,” you need to have a lot of relief pitchers, and not only do the Rays have them, they are getting even deeper.

Just look at these hard throwers – Andrew Kittredge (9-3, 1.88 ERA) is actually the finisher. Diego Castillo had almost a 5-to-1 strikeout-walk ratio. Pete Fairbanks had 56 K’s in 42-2/3 innings. Four guys coming off injuries may be in a position to contribute – Jalen Beeks, Colin Poche, Jeffrey Springs and Ryan Thompson. You could make that five, if Tyler Glasnow, coming off Tommy John surgery and now dealing with an ankle injury, can pitch sometimes this season.

And if they get lucky with two-time Cy Young winner Corey Kluber, that’s just a bonus.

It is well worth mentioning that the Rays were second in MLB in runs scored last season. So they have all the bases covered.

Toronto Blue Jays Team Preview 2022

Toronto Blue Jays Team Page

To Win Division: +165

To Win AL Pennant: +450

To Win World Series: +800

The Jays lost Marcus Semien (third in the MVP voting), but they helped themselves both offensively and defensively with the acquisition of Matt Chapman. At least we think they did; Chapman had just a .716 OPS in 2021, but he can certainly provide power and a Gold Glove to this lineup, which obviously has studs like Vladimir Guerrero, Bo Bichette and George Springer on hand.

Jose Berrios (1.044 WHIP in 2021), who was acquired from Minnesota at the trade deadline, heads up what might be the best rotation in the division (even after losing Robbie Ray), and signed a seven-year, $131 million extension in the off-season. Kevin Gausman had a career year in San Francisco, and signed as a free agent. So did Yusei Kikuchi, who was named an All-Star with Seattle last year and could be the #5 guy.

Toronto won 91 games last season. Guerrero promises more. He has famously pledged, “What we did last year was the trailer. Now, you guys are going to see the movie.”