2022 MLB Standings at (about) mid-season

[Auggie]

MLB added a third wild card to prevent intentional mid-season tanking, though with these salary discrepancies, I don't see a big incentive to do so. Even if Cleveland ($69,120,963), for example, were to try to strengthen before the trade deadline there's no way they'd come close to matching the power or pitching depth of the Yankees necessary in a playoff match-up. I'd say the same for Seattle, Texas, Angels, Miami, Philadelphia, and San Francisco. I wouldn't mortgage the future in a year like this one.

Without a real salary cap and true revenue sharing, it's just a rigged league that favors teams in the largest metro areas and/or the best-paying broadcast and streaming deals.

⚾️ ⚾️ ⚾️

Total payroll / Winning percentage / Wild card standings

A.L. EAST
$249,158,632 / .725 / Leads division
$202,818,536 / .563 / +2
$171,944,762 / .543 / +0.5
$87,791,686 / .538 / ---
$45,160,722 / .457 / 6.5

A.L. CENTRAL
$137,516,501 / .554 / Leads division
$69,120,963 / .513 / 2
$195,269,690 / .487 / 4
$137,136,025 / .405 / 10.5
$96,502,243 / .372 / 13

A.L. WEST
$175,665,734 / .658 / Leads division
$107,682,702 / .488 / 4
$143,470,652 / .474 / 5
$195,269,690 / .457 / 6.5
$48,398,184 / .329 / 17

N.L. EAST
$260,693,766 / .625 / Leads division
$178,971,193 / .580 / +3.5
$234,735,160 / .525 / 1
$83,271,731 / .487 / 4
$129,474,322 / .354 / 15

N.L. CENTRAL
$132,384,573 / .573 / Leads division
$160,095,718 / .537 / ---
$68,702,695 / .405 / 10.5
$150,181,438 / .400 / 11
$117,532,271 / .342 / 15.5

N.L. WEST
$261,677,921 / .633 / Leads division
$217,891,885 / .573 / +3
$155,686,850 / .513 / 2
$87,173,122 / .450 / 7
$137,818,873 / .438 / 8

https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/payroll/
A real-time look at the 2022 payroll totals for each MLB team. These figures derive from a player's payroll salary, which includes the combination of a base salary, incentives, & any signing bonus proration. Also includes players on injured reserve, players retained, players buried, and players suspended.

https://www.espn.com/mlb/standings

Standings by team name:

A.L. EAST
New York Yankees
Boston Red Sox
Toronto Blue Jays
Tampa Bay Rays
Baltimore Orioles

A.L. CENTRAL
Minnesota Twins
Cleveland Guardians
Chicago White Sox
Detroit Tigers
Kansas City Royals

A.L. WEST
Houston Astros
Seattle Mariners
Texas Ranger
Los Angeles Angels
Oakland Athletics

N.L. EAST
New York Mets
Atlanta Braves
Philadelphia Phillies
Miami Marlins
Washington Nationals

N.L. CENTRAL
Milwaukee Brewers
St. Louis Cardinals
Pittsburgh Pirates
Chicago Cubs
Cincinnati Reds

N.L. WEST
Los Angeles Dodgers
San Diego Padres
San Francisco Giants
Arizona Diamondbacks
Colorado Rockies

[Diamond_Dog]

1. At this point

I’m wondering if ANY team can get past the Yanks.

[Auggie]

2. Maybe the Mets if Scherzer regains form ...

maybe the Red Sox (they always play them tough), Astros and Dodgers too.

The big equation: how do any of these teams improve themselves before the trade deadline?

Yankees have to stay healthy too.

Why do I bother watching? Honestly, I'm really intrigued how, and if, Cleveland can stay in the race. Chris Antonetti and company have done an outstanding job. They're fun to follow.

[Diamond_Dog]

3. Well, of course I'm biased,

But the Guardians indeed have been a blast to watch this year. Tristan McKenzie could be the next ace on the pitching staff! Gimenez has been a bright spot, as has Kwan, and Gonzalez (“SpongeBob “)

Astros seem to be able to give the Yanks a run for their money. The only thing I think the Yanks might need is a lights out closer. What’s the story on Chapman?

But a subway WS in NY isn’t entirely out of the question.

[Auggie]

4. Chapman is back ... made his debut in the Cleveland series

[Diamond_Dog]

5. I must have missed that. Didn't see the entirety of two of those games.

How did he do?

Astros seem to be a complete team.

Guards need to get Straw going. Now Naylor left the game yesterday with back spasms. Need to find out what’s up with him.

Who is the best in the NL?

[Auggie]

6. Best in N.L.? Good question.

Dodgers, Mets, Padres, Braves?

Chapman pitched in that 13-4 first game of the doubleheader romp on Saturday. Relieved Cole in the 7th with an 8-2 lead and gave up 2 runs on 2 hits and walked 3. Threw 19 pitches.

Was wondering if Straw could be on the trading block. His "bargain" salary and long-term contract may be incentive for playoff-quality teams to park him in the minors until rosters expand in September. He is a defensive asset and fast on the bases --a good addition for late innings.

[Diamond_Dog]

7. Last year we were so happy to get him.

A singles-hitting leadoff guy who has speed and is great defensively. He solved our need for a center fielder brilliantly. I was happy that we signed him for the long term. Fans still love his hustle and passion. (Maybe Oscar Mercado could be that kind of guy if he got more playing time?)

But for some reason Straw just isn’t hitting this year. Tito put him way down in the batting order and it hasn’t seemed to have any effect. I suppose he could be trade bait. I think a lot of fans would rather see a trade with The Big Mon (Reyes). I’m afraid to trade Reyes, for fear that could really bite us in the butt.

[Capt. America]

8. MLB has had a money disparity problem (i.e. competitiveness) for years that they choose not to

address.