Now that MLB’s player lockout is finally over, it’s time to let go of our fascination with competitive balance tax thresholds and instead talk about actual baseball. Ahead of the season start on Thursday, April 7, LZ and Will talk about which franchises face the most pressure in 2022.
Will it be the teams that broke the bank in the offseason? The Los Angeles Dodgers signed first baseman Freddie Freeman to a six-year contract worth $162 million, and the New York Mets spent big to bring Max Scherzer to their pitcher’s mound — he’s guaranteed a $43.3 million salary over three seasons (yes, that’s an MLB record for highest average annual value set by a contract).
Or will teams that made lateral moves be under greater pressure? The Atlanta Braves traded for Matt Olson to replace Freeman, and the Toronto Blue Jays didn’t re-sign some excellent players but instead brought in new ones, like Kevin Gausman and Matt Chapman.
Or, lastly, will it be the clubs who made smaller changes and are instead banking on the talent they already have — that’s the Yankees, Astros, Angels, Padres, and Cardinals.
Will and LZ talk it out, and agree on one thing, at least: it’s good to have baseball back.
