Major League Baseball season
The 2022 Cleveland Guardians season is the 122nd season for the franchise. This is the team's first season as the Cleveland Guardians, following the franchise's name change in light of the Cleveland Indians name and logo controversy. The team opened their regular season on April 7, 2022, on the road against the Kansas City Royals,[1] and are scheduled to finish the season on October 5 at home, also against the Royals.[2]
On December 2, 2021, Commissioner of Baseball Rob Manfred announced a lockout of players, following expiration of the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the league and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA). On March 10, 2022, the MLB and MLBPA agreed to a new collective bargaining agreement, ending the lockout. Opening Day was played on April 7.[3] Although MLB previously announced that several series would be cancelled due to the lockout, the agreement provides for a 162-game season, with originally canceled games to be made up via doubleheaders.[4]
Offseason
Lockout
The expiration of the league's collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the Major League Baseball Players Association occurred on December 1, 2021 with no new agreement in place.[5] As a result, the team owners voted unanimously to lockout the players stopping all free agency and trades.[6][7]
The parties came to an agreement on a new CBA on March 10, 2022.[8]
Rule changes
Pursuant to the new CBA, several new rules were instituted for the 2022 season. The National League will adopt the designated hitter full-time, a draft lottery will be implemented, the postseason will expand from ten teams to twelve, and advertising patches will appear on player uniforms and helmets for the first time.[9][10]
Summary
The Guardians signed third baseman José Ramírez to a 5-year, $124 million extension with the Cleveland Guardians. Combined with his contract extension signed in November 2021, Ramírez' new contract guaranteed nearly $150 million through 2028. The largest contract awarded in franchise history, the deal also included a full "no-trade" clause.[11]
In Cleveland's home opener, Ramírez doubled in the ninth inning of a 4–1 defeat to the San Francisco Giants for his 1,000th career hit.[12]
Ramírez won American League (AL) Player of the Month honors for April, having hit .342 (27-for-79) and .722 slugging percentage, 12 runs scored, seven doubles, a triple, seven home runs, 28 RBI, and nine bases on balls over 21 games. During that month, he also reached the career milestone of 1,000 games played.[13]
On May 26, the Guardians recalled outfielder Oscar González to the major league roster. He made his major league debut that same day, starting in right field versus the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. He singled on a line drive to center field off starting pitcher Tarik Skubal in the top of the second his for the first hit. In the ninth inning, he hit his first major league double.[14]
On May 28 versus Detroit, Ramírez homered, tripled and drove in five runs, amounting to an MLB-leading 48 RBI through the Guardians' first 42 games, tied for third-most in club history. Of all in franchise history, only Manny Ramirez (56 in 1999), Al Rosen (49 in 1954) and Earl Averill (also 48) had equaled or surpassed José Ramírez.[15]
Ramírez was named AL Player of the Week for the May 24–30, having recorded three home runs, three stolen bases, 11 RBI, seven total extra base hits, .348/.423/.957, three walks and one strikeout.[16]
On June 10, versus the Oakland Athletics, González achieved his first major league four-hit game.[17]
The Guardians clinched their 11th AL Central title, and first since 2018, on September 25 after beating the Texas Rangers, 10–4. [18]
