Whether you agree or not.. the CWSox finished waaaaaaaaaaaay ahead (13 games) of the Indians in 2021.. The Indians spent the entire season fighting to stay above the .500 level for the season.. The CWSox are, if anything, going to get batter in 2022 as their farm system continues to produce guys like Kopech and Cease.. with Stiever and Lambert coming on strongly for their pitching staff.. (btw.. it would be no surprise to see Kopech remain in the pen.. for a high leverage role).. and their kids gaining experience and the knowledge that they can compete..
Before going off the deep end about injuries.... everyone knows about injuries.. every team has them.. it's how each team DEALS with the injuries that defines where they'll finish.... The Indians started Logan Allen, Sam Hentges and Eli Morgan.. not exactly as great response...
So where will the CWSox finish?. right where they're at.. They have the financial resources to add one SP (to replace Keuchel, probably a trade) and one impact bat (2B Javier Baez?) to their lineup, pay for most of the $ 35 MM the CWSox will have to spend by dropping Kimbrel's non-pay out option.. The CWSox may become a juggernaut in the AL Central.. The CWSox are just a good team on both sides of the ball.. In 2022.. comparing them with the Guardians with their good pitching and marginal offense.. The only conclusion you can come to is.. "..not good enough.."
..but that's why they play the games.. to prove evaluations like the above..wrong.. but I don't think I'm that far off...
Thoughts?...