MLB power rankings: A's better 2022 team than Giants, Bleacher Report says

Share

Even if you possessed a crystal ball, it's difficult to determine the future of any organization -- especially in baseball. You've seen how some of these trade deadlines can be. 

But let's have some fun.

For a moment, let's predict the future. And the future looks bright for the Bay Area teams, but one could shine brighter ... and it's the Oakland A's.

Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter developed power rankings as he sees them in 2022 for each MLB team. He projected the rosters by player's contracts, arbitration-eligible players and top prospects to name a few. Reuter also added the notable free agents, player/club/vesting options as well as financial flexibility.

He truly thought of it all.

The Baltimore Orioles rounded out at the bottom of the power rankings which is sad to know considering that's about where the team is currently. The Atlanta Braves' young squad holds the top spot which isn't too surprising considering Ronald Acuna Jr. and Ozzie Albies are just a fraction of the talent they possess.

The A's and Giants find themselves right in the middle of the power rankings. 

Oakland was projected ever so slightly above San Francisco at the No. 16 overall spot. And look how strange the lineup looks: 

Oakland A's, 2022

Jorge Mateo, LF
Ramón Laureano, CF
Matt Chapman, 3B
Matt Olson, 1B
Stephen Piscotty, DH
Sheldon Neuse, 2B
Sean Murphy, C
Austin Beck, RF
Nick Allen, SS

Pitching Staff

Jesús Luzardo
A.J. Puk
Frankie Montas
Sean Manaea
Chris Bassitt
Lou Trivino

Puk probably will take on a starting role and in 2022 Luzardo will have been in the league a while after his heavily anticipated debut. And of course, Montas will have been back from his 80-game PED suspension for a while once the yearly calendar flips a few times.

The Matt's will continue to shine at the corners of the infield and at the plate, so there are no worries there. Chapman isn't a free agent until 2024 -- that should make A's fans happy.

Reuter does mention that there is a lot to think about when it comes to the development of Puk and Luzardo. And as much as we don't want to put this out in the universe, the two did struggle with injuries recently and those don't get easily erased from your history. 

Allen was mentioned in Reuter's roster, which probably has some asking, "Well, what about Marcus Semien?" That's fair. The San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser reported Marcus Semien not only wants an extension but would love for his family to live in the Bay Area year-round. He just changed agencies so the thought is fresh on his mind. 

That could change some things.

And as for the Giants, the roster looks completely different.

San Francisco Giants, 2022

Alexander Canario, LF
Marco Luciano, SS
Heliot Ramos, RF
Joey Bart, C
Hunter Bishop, CF
Logan Wyatt, 1B
Evan Longoria, 3B
Mauricio Dubon, 2B

Pitching Staff

Logan Webb
Sean Hjelle
Seth Corry
Tyler Beede
Shaun Anderson
Melvin Adon

A lot of new names fill the roster, which would appear to be what president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi would want. But people would be curious to know what happened to the big names. Reuter said the assumption would be the Giants declining options on Buster Posey and Johnny Cueto -- that frees up around $75 million heading into the 2021-22 season. And remember, Madison Bumgarner and Will Smith will hit free agency after the 2019 season.

Young Marco Luciano recently told MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez he wants to play in the MLB in just three years. He's 17 years old, so you do the math. And in his defense, he's having a very strong Rookie League campaign so that confidence is well-warranted.

The crystal ball proves both teams will be successful if all goes well, but the A's do have a slight edge. 

Contact Us