After an exciting postseason, the 2022 Major League Baseball season officially came to an end on Saturday. Let’s take a look at the World Series outcome, what is to expect as we move into the offseason and some of the other big stories from around the league.
Astros Win The World Series
After sweeping the Seattle Mariners in the ALDS and the New York Yankees in the ALCS, the Houston Astros completed their mission of a World Series title by taking down the Philadelphia Phillies four games to two.
Yordan Alvarez delivered the big blow in the finale as he hit a three-run home run off of Jose Alvarado, who came on in relief of Zack Wheeler. It was an interesting move by Phillies’ manager Rob Thompson as Wheeler was cruising, but the home run gave the Astros a lead they would never surrender.
Jeremy Pena was named the World Series MVP after hitting .400 (10 for 25) and a home run against the Phillies. Amazingly, the rookie shortstop won the AL Gold Glove, ALCS MVP, and the World Series MVP, although he is likely to finish second to Julio Rodriguez for the AL Rookie of the Year award.
This World Series was special as it was the first one that Dusty Baker had won as a manager. Having been in the majors for 55 years, this was his first title in 25 years as a manager for the 73-year-old skipper.
While controversy will surround this team for years to come due to the 2017 cheating scandal, there is no denying that this team has been one of the best of this generation, as they have appeared in four World Series in the last six years and have now won their second in that span.
The Offseason Has Begun
With the World Series now over, the 2022-23 offseason has begun. On Sunday, 131 MLB players officially became free agents.
Of the free agent class, the most notable players include Aaron Judge, Trea Turner, Jacob deGrom, Trea Turner, Xander Bogaerts, Justin Verlander, and others.
The GM meetings will occur from November 7-10, and the start of free agency officially opens on November 10. In the days preceding November 10, teams have an exclusive window that they can talk with their own free agents.
While Saturday marked the end of the 2022 season, the hot stove will start to heat up over the coming days and weeks as teams prepare for the 2023 season.
Yankees And Twins To Pick Up Club Options On Pitchers
Not only will the free agency be starting by the end of next week, but teams and players around the league have decisions to make on club and player options moving into next year.
For the Yankees, general manager Brian Cashman announced that the team will pick up pitcher Luis Severino’s $15 million option. In 19 games this season, Severino went 7-3 with a 3.18 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and he struck out 112 in 102 innings.
The Minnesota Twins will also be picking up a club option on a starting pitcher as Jon Heyman reports the team will bring back pitcher Sonny Gray for his $12.5 million option.
Gray, who turns 33 on Monday, finished the season 8-5 in 24 starts with a 3.08 ERA and 1.128 WHIP, and he had 117 strikeouts in 119.2 innings. He did finish the season on the injured list, but he is expected to be ready for the start of spring training.
White Sox Ink Pedro Grifol As New Manager
After two disappointing years under Tony La Russa, the Chicago White Sox have found their new manager in former Royals’ bench coach Pedro Grifol.
This will be Grifol’s first gig as a manager; however, he has served as a bench coach, catching coach, and quality control coach over the years with Kansas City. He also worked with the Mariners and spent nine years playing in the majors.
He will take over a White Sox team that was expected to win the division easily prior to the season, but they ultimately finished 81-81, good for second in the AL Central.
