The 2022 Oakland Athletics season was the 122nd season for the Oakland Athletics franchise, all as members of the American League. It was their 55th season in Oakland, which surpassed the amount of seasons they played in their original home of Philadelphia (54 seasons). On November 1, 2021, Bob Melvin was hired away from the A's by the San Diego Padres for their manager position. Mark Kotsay was named as Melvin's successor on December 21, 2021.[1]
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, MLB and the MLBPA agreed to a new collective bargaining agreement, thus ending the lockout. Opening Day was played on April 8.[2] 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.[3]
The A’s were gutted ahead of the season losing key players such as Matt Olson, Matt Chapman and Chris Bassitt. Owing to this, they failed to improve on their 86–76 record from the previous season. On September 7, they were the first American League team to be eliminated from playoff contention.
The A's also had a poor offensive season as well, batting only .216 as a team and finishing at or near the bottom of the AL in every other offensive category as well. The pitching staff faltered as well, posting a team 4.52 ERA and finishing near the bottom of the AL in most pitching categories.
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.[4] As a result, the team owners voted unanimously to lockout the players stopping all free agency and trades.[5][6]
The parties came to an agreement on a new CBA on March 10, 2022.[7]
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.[8][9]
Updated with the results of all games through October 5, 2022.
Updated through October 5.
Stats in bold are the team leaders.
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; BB = Walks; SO = Strikeouts; SB = Stolen bases; Avg. = Batting average; OBP = On-base percentage; SLG = Slugging; OPS = On base + slugging
Stats in bold are the team leaders.
Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; H = Hits allowed; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts
Source:[11]