MLB second-half predictions: Juan Soto traded to NL West, Subway World Series, more
The 2022 MLB season starts in less than two weeks. Juan Soto could be traded to the NL West. There are two months of the regular season remaining. There will be a lot of action between now and the end of this season.
Juan Soto rejected the biggest contract in MLB history at $440 million from the Washington Nationals. The Padres are in win-now mode and offer a package headlined by shortstop C.J. Abrams and outfielder Robert Hassell III. San Diego has one of the largest payrolls in the game and has a number of young players. The team is seeking its first World Series. If Manny Machado opts out after 2023, the team could pay Sato instead. He's seven years younger.
Aaron Judge is on track to hit 60 home runs this season. Giancarlo Staton came close to hitting 60 in 2017 with the Miami Marlins. He needs to play 27 games over the Yankees' final 70 games to reach 60. It would take one home run in roughly every 2.6 games.
Aaron Judge is the current American League MVP favorite. Paul Goldschmidt is considered the favorite in the National League. The MVP award will be decided on the basis of performance at the plate and on-field results. The winner will receive the MVP trophy. It will also be a symbol of the team success. For the rest of this season, the winner should be based on team performance.
Goldschmidt is hitting .330 BA, .414 OBP, .590 SLG, 1.004 OPS, 20 HRs, 70 RBIs and 4.5 fWAR. Freeman is batting .321 BA and has 13 HR, 59 RBI and a 4 f WAR. Nolan Arenado is the NL's leading fWKerwin Alonso, Austin Riley, Pete Alonso and Manny Machado are also in the MVP race.
The Yankees and Mets have the first- and fourth-best records in baseball. The Yankees won the World Series in 2000. Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer have only made 11 starts for the Mets this season. They are injured. Yankees have a huge lead in the AL East and should avoid the wild card round. Mets are not a lock to get a first round bye. They might have to play the Padres, Braves and Dodgers to reach the playoffs.
