MLB 2022 preview: The Dodgers, National League power rankings and the best players

Somebody forgot to tell the Dodgers you can’t buy a World Series title. Either that, or their mission statement is to prove such axioms are false.

As much as second-year Mets owner Steve Cohen was targeted by baseball’s new fourth payroll tier of the competitive balance tax -- defined as $60 million above the base, or $290 million for 2022 -- L.A. already had set up shop on that summit long before Cohen’s arrival. And the Dodgers are acting as if they don’t plan on relinquishing the title any time soon.

By outbidding defending champion Atlanta for franchise cornerstone Freddie Freeman at a cost of six years, $162 million, the Dodgers’ 2022 payroll stood at $288.9 million -- according to Fangraph’s CBT calculations -- by late March, with still time to add in the week or so leading up to Opening Day. On paper, Freeman’s addition makes LA’s lineup the most complete in baseball, and manager Dave Roberts, who piloted them to a championship during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, wasn’t shy when asked about his prediction for this year.

“We are winning the World Series in 2022,” Roberts said on The Dan Patrick Show. “We will win the World Series this year, put it on record.”

Roberts is hardly the only one believing that, even outside the Dodgers’ organization. But it’s not like the West is laying down a red carpet for them to stroll to October, and remember -- the Giants are the defending division champs after following up four losing seasons with 107 wins a year ago. Carlos Rodon was signed to replace Kevin Gausman, but the biggest concern by the Bay is an aging core headlined by the decorated duo of Brandon Crawford (35) and Brandon Belt (34).

The upstart Padres were supposed to supplant the Giants as LA’s more modern rival -- especially as they’re separated by only a two-hour drive (without a pit stop at In-N-Out Burger). But another injury to $329-million shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr., who is sidelined for three months with a broken wrist suffered in a motorcycle accident, is already casting doubts on the payoff for this $224-million payroll.

Getting back to Cohen and the East, the Mets have plenty to worry about in their own division before thinking about an NLCS showdown with the Dodgers. Atlanta wears the ’22 rings, and as much of a blow as it was to lose Freeman, the franchise smoothly pivoted in trading for the A’s Matt Olson as his replacement. One slight problem: Ronald Acuna Jr, limited to 82 games (and no playoffs) last season due to knee surgery, is projected to miss the first month this year to rehab as well. Injured ace Mike Soroka, who hasn’t pitched since 2020 because of an Achilles tendon repair, should be a huge boost around midseason.

Hard to believe this is already Bryce Harper’s fourth season with the Phillies -- he has nine more years left on his $330-million contract -- and they’re still trying to make the playoffs for the first time since 2011, finishing above .500 (82-80) only once during that span. Don’t pin the blame on Harper -- he won the MVP (35 HRs, 1.044 OPS) last season -- but the Phillies grabbed some reinforcements with the signings of Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos.

The Marlins don’t figure to be the East pushovers the Orioles are in the AL. Even with Derek Jeter bailing as CEO this spring, with his veiled reference questioning Miami’s commitment to win, the Marlins have an excellent young rotation capable of shutting down anyone fronted by All-Star Trevor Rogers (ROY runner-up), Sandy Alcantara and Pablo Lopez. Scoring runs remains an issue, but the signing of World Series MVP Jorge Soler (3 yrs, $36M) should be a huge help.

It’s looking to be a two-team race in the Central, as the Brewers and Cardinals at least appear to be trying. Milwaukee’s rotation is the envy of just about everyone (well, maybe not the Mets) with the 1-2 punch of Corbin Burnes and Brandon Woodruff. They’re also nearly unbeatable at the back end of the bullpen, with Devin Williams and Josh Hader.

As for the Cardinals, they had a surprising November divorce with Mike Shildt -- the ’19 Manager of the Year -- then hired Oliver Mormol, who at 35 is the youngest manager in the majors. There’s a ton of pressure on Mormol, with St. Louis coming off a 90-win season and three straight playoff appearances under Shildt, including a division title. LI’s Steven Matz, signed to a four-year, $44-million deal this winter, projects to be the Cardinals’ No. 3 starter.

And speaking of Long Island, the former Patchogue-Medford star (and Met) Marcus Stroman was considered the Cubs’ biggest offseason addition until they swooped in to sign Japanese outfielder Seiya Suzuki to a five-year, $85-million contract. As much as it’s been a puzzling rebuild so far on the North Side, the Reds clearly are in tanking mode and the Pirates -- coming off three last-place finishes and 101 losses a year ago -- have been nearly invisible since making it to the 2015 wild-card game.

NL Power Rankings

1. Dodgers

2. Atlanta

3. Mets

4. Giants

5. Padres

6. Brewers

7. Cardinals

8. Phillies

9. Marlins

10. Cubs

11. Reds

12. Nationals

13. Rockies

14. Diamondbacks

15. Pirates

Best of the best in the NL

1. Juan Soto, Nationals: Soto finished second in the 2021 MVP voting to Bryce Harper, but he starts this year atop the NL. At 23, Soto is quickly becoming the sport’s most dangerous hitter, with a very discerning eye, as illustrated by him leading the majors in walks (145) and OBP (.465) last season to go with a .313 batting average and .999 OPS.

2. Jacob deGrom, Mets: If healthy -- and that’s the only question that ever hangs over deGrom -- he’s always capable of an historic season, not just winning a Cy Young. Last season, his ERA didn’t nudge above 1.00 until July 7, his 15th and final start.

3. Bryce Harper, Phillies: The reigning MVP wasn’t surrounded by All-Stars, so he’s had to do most of the heavy lifting himself in Philly, and a healthy Harper looked worth every dime of his $330 million last season. Harper led the majors in slugging (.615) and OPS (1.044) to win his second MVP trophy and first since 2015.

4. Trea Turner, Dodgers: Turner does it all offensively (.328 BA, 28 HR, 107 R, 32 SB) and now that he’s taking over at shortstop, from a premium defensive position as well. Also noteworthy this year -- Turner is a pending free agent.

5. Ronald Acuna, Jr., Atlanta: Sidelined until May in his continuing rehab from knee surgery, Acuna was on track for the MVP himself before getting hurt on July 10. Had 24 homers, 52 RBIs and .990 OPS through the first 82 games.

Best manager: Gabe Kapler, Giants

Best GM: David Stearns, Brewers

Best hitter: Juan Soto, Nationals

Best leadoff hitter: Trea Turner, Dodgers

Best power: Pete Alonso, Mets

Best in the clutch: Juan Soto, Nationals

Best baserunner: Trea Turner, Dodgers

Most exciting: Mookie Betts, Dodgers

Best infielder: Francisco Lindor, Mets

Best infield arm: Nolan Arenado, Cardinals

Best outfielder: Victor Robles, Nationals

Best outfield arm: Mookie Betts, Dodgers

Best catcher: Will Smith, Dodgers

Best catcher arm: J.T. Realmuto, Phillies

Best starting pitcher: Jacob deGrom, Mets

Best setup: Devin Williams, Brewers

Best closer: Josh Hader, Brewers

Rookie to watch: Oneil Cruz, Pirates

Best home uniforms: Dodgers

Best stadium: Wrigley Field

Best mascot: Philly Phanatic

By David Lennon

dave.lennon@newsday.comDPLennon

David Lennon is an award-winning columnist, a voter for baseball's Hall of Fame and has covered six no-hitters, including two perfect games.