MLB FUTURES REPORT
The Favorites
Los Angeles Dodgers (+350): The Dodgers were already loaded before adding Trevor Bauer to a staff that includes Walker Buehler and Clayton Kershaw. They will also get David Price back after he opted out in 2020. They brought back Justin Turner and have a loaded offense with Mookie Betts an MVP candidate.
New York Yankees (+550): If Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge can remain healthy, the Yankees lineup will be on par with any in the league. Corey Kluber could rekindle some of his old magic and Jameson Taillon is an elite arm to add to their rotation. Losing Tommy Kahnle could hurt their bullpen in the playoffs.
San Diego Padres (+800): The Padres front office continued its aggressive pursuit of a ring by bringing in Yu Darvish and Blake Snell. They have depth that can actually rival the Dodgers with Mike Clevinger, Matt Strahm, Dinelson Lamet, and Chris Paddack available to back up those acquisitions. Fernando Tatis Jr. is a rising superstar, but the question in San Diego is whether or not the Padres are too young to thrive in October.
The Contenders
Chicago White Sox (+850): The White Sox have a promising future, but might be a few years from competing for a World Series title. Their odds jumped from +1500 to +850 after a mildly successful offseason and they just lost slugger Eloy Jimenez (pectoral) for nearly half the season.
Atlanta Braves (+1000): The Braves were a hair away from their first World Series appearance since 1998 and might have added the missing piece by signing veteran ace Charlie Morton to a one-year-deal. With Ozzie Albies, Ronald Acuna Jr., and the recently re-signed Marcell Ozuna leading a fearsome lineup, they’re justifiable favorites (+120) in the loaded NL East.
New York Mets (+1000): New Mets owner Steve Cohen wanted to make a splash and he did just that by trading promising prospects in exchange for Franciso Lindor and Carlos Carrasco. There are a lot of intriguing parts for manager Luis Rojas to use off the bench with the Mets impressive infield depth.
Minnesota Twins (+2000): Every year, the Twins put together a marvelous regular season, only to get smoked in the playoffs. Minnesota has lost 18 straight postseason games, but maybe this is the year they find success.
The Long shots
St. Louis Cardinals (+2200): When it comes to the Cardinals, the name on the front of the jersey is always bigger than the name on the back. But now one of those uniforms has “Arenado” on the back, causing the Cards’ odds to jump from +3300 to +2200. And they also have a Rookie of the Year candidate in Dylan Carlson (+700 odds at DraftKings).
Houston Astros (+2200): George Springer is gone and the Astros lineup might pick up the slack, but their rotation is a big question mark with Justin Verlander (elbow) likely to miss the regular season.
Toronto Blue Jays (+2200): Toronto swiped Springer from the Astros and Marcus Semien from the A’s to add even more pop to an exciting roster full of sluggers. However, they need to find some pitching depth behind Hyun-Jin Ryu.
Oakland Athletics (+2500): The A’s have earned a playoff berth in three straight seasons under Bob Melvin. Yet a small market team rarely loads up like the favorites, and Oakland has lost out on key players such as Marcus Semien.
Tampa Bay Rays (+2500): Behind an incredible bullpen and advanced defensive strategies, the Rays won 68.9% of their close games last season. Blake Snell and Charlie Morton are gone and closer Nick Anderson is out through the All-Star Break, but Tampa always produces through its farm system.
Washington Nationals (+3300): Howie Kendrick retired, but the Nats retained Ryan Zimmerman and made what could be prove to be a hugely underrated move by adding Josh Bell. Jon Lester gives this team more championship pedigree and they’re a great buy-low target despite playing in a loaded division.
Cincinnati Reds (+3300): The Reds odds opened too high considering Trevor Bauer basically carried them into the playoffs during a shortened 2020 season.
Philadelphia Phillies (+4000): The Phillies addressed their league-worst bullpen by bringing in former Rays reliever Jose Alvarado. They also re-signed JT Realmuto in free agency.
Chicago Cubs (+4000): There is talk of the Cubs trading Kris Bryant in his contract year and Willson Contreras might also get dealt after the front office let Lester and Kyle Schwarber go to a rival. That is a clear sign of a rebuild.
Cleveland Indians (+4000): The Indians have an underrated staff led by Shane Bieber and Zach Plesac, but lack the star power to move the needle, and likely the offensive depth to keep pace in the AL Central.
Los Angeles Angels (+4000): If Anthony Rendon, Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout are healthy all year the Angels have no excuses. Granted their starting pitching should still be below average, but they have tons of offensive firepower.
PRE-SEASON MLB ODDS VS. CURRENT ODDS
A look at pre-season World Series odds versus current odds.
