Spring training is here so it’s time to look ahead to who will be playing this fall. Here’s a quick overview of each team’s chances to claim the prestigious World Series crown.
Favorites to Win the 2014 MLB World Series
Los Angeles Dodgers (+700)[sc:MLB240banner ]
The Dodgers lost out in the Tanaka sweepstakes, but they still bolstered an already formidable starting rotation with the signings of Dan Haren and Paul Maholm. Locking down Clayton Kershaw will go a long way to keeping this team at the top of the standings for many years to come. If former MVP candidate Matt Kemp can stay healthy and rejoin Yasiel Puig back in the outfield, a trip to the World Series is in range.
Detroit Tigers (+800)
With slugger Prince Fielder off to Texas, two-time MVP Miguel Cabrera now moves to first, with Ian Kinsler beside him at second. Meanwhile, a rotation that includes two Cy Young winners in Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander is ready to dominate again. The Tigers are always a safe bet to make the postseason and if Miggy stays healthy this year, expect big things.
Washington Nationals (+1000)
Despite a disappointing 86-win campaign last year, the Nats still possess one of the most talented rosters in the league. The starting rotation just got stronger with the acquisition of Doug Fister, while phenom Bryce Harper, now in his 3rd year as a pro, continues to get better. Will this be the year Stephen Stasburg takes a spot alongside the league’s top aces?
St. Louis Cardinals (+1000)
After falling short in the World Series, the Cards have rearranged the deck in hopes of re-capturing the postseason magic that has kept this franchise near the top of the standings for over a decade. Gone are Carlos Beltran and David Freese, but they finally addressed their problematic middle infield situation with the signings of Jhonny Peralta and Mark Ellis. Never discount the Cards.
New York Yankees (+1000)
A whole host of big name free agent signings – Jacoby Ellsbury, Carlos Beltran and Brian McCann – will try to make up for the major loss of Robinson Cano, but the big coup was getting Japanese pitching sensation Masahiro Tanaka. Now what will the Bronx Bombers do with all that cash that Alex Rodriguez’s suspension opened up? Keep in mind that the last time the Yankees missed out on the postseason, they spent big bucks in the offseason and ended up winning the 2009 World Series.
Boston Red Sox (+1200)
The defending champs will get younger with the insertion of Xander Bogaerts at third and Jackie Bradley Jr. to replace Ellsbury at center. But it will still be more or less the same World Series-winning veteran core led by David Ortiz, Shane Victorino and Mike Napoli. These BoSox will not be flying under the radar like last year and will have an improving AL East to contend with.
Tampa Bay Rays (+1,500)
David Price is still in Tampa Bay to lead a stacked starting rotation, and AL Rookie of the Year Wil Myers will now have a full season to shine. Every time you think the Rays will fall out of contention, they don’t.
Atlanta Braves (+1,600)
The Braves had a historically good defense last year, but with the departure of Brian McCann and the struggles of BJ Upton and Dan Uggla, the problem could be scoring runs. Can this team that looked like an unstoppable force in the NL at times last year recapture their top form?
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (+1,800)
The Angels can’t realistically expect a third straight out-of-this-world season from Mike Trout, but they should expect more production from highly-paid vets Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton. This team needs to perform to avoid having their roster blown up soon.
Oakland A’s (+1,800)
Billy Beane has re-captured that Moneyball magic with two straight postseason trips, but some playoff magic is still lacking. They were one win behind the AL-best Red Sox last year… are they really that good?
Cincinnati Reds (+1,800)
Shin-Soo Choo and Bronson Arroyo may be gone, but the Reds have ready-made replacements in Billy Hamilton and Tony Cingrani to plug the gaps in a playoff-caliber team.
Texas Rangers (+1,800)
The Rangers have reloaded their line up by trading for Prince Fielder and signing Shin-Soo Choo, while star prospect Jurrickson Profar will now get his chance in place of Ian Kinsler. They’re one of the bets on the board with the most value thanks to their previous postseason runs and big money ways.
San Francisco Giants (+2,000)
If the 2012 champs look to return to the postseason, they’ll need bounce-back years from nearly their entire rotation — Matt Cain, the re-signed Tim Lincecum, the injured Ryan Vogelsong and newly-signed Tim Hudson, who’s recovering from a broken ankle.
Seattle Mariners (+2,500)
Seattle surprised the baseball world by signing Robinson Cano, but the Mariners will need stud pitching prospects Taijuan Walker and James Paxton to plsy well if they want to keep the surprises coming.
Toronto Blue Jays (+2,500)
The Blue Jays still haven’t addressed their starting rotation needs, and they’ll need to to make good on their long touted potential this season. Injuries plagued their 2013 campaign but if they can stay healthy this division will become a dog fight.[sc:MLB240banner ]
Pittsburgh Pirates (+2,500)
The Pirates haven’t capitalized yet on last season’s momentous achievements, having lost more key players than they’ve acquired so far. On the bright side, they still have reigning MVP Andrew McCutchen.
Kansas City Royals (+3,000)
After remaining in Wild Card contention till the final days last season, hopes are high for the Royals this season, led by their much-ballyhooed crop of home-grown players.
Philadelphia Phillies (+3,500)
Domonic Brown had a breakout season last year, but the aging core of Howard, Utley, Rollins and Lee is another year older, making it that much harder to imagine the Phillies returning to the postseason.
Arizona Diamondbacks (+3,500)
Slugger Mark Trumbo will add some pop alongside breakout MVP candidate Paul Goldschmidt, but the Diamondbacks are still in search of more depth in their rotation after missing out on Tanaka.
Baltimore Orioles (+3,500)
With no significant offseason moves, the Orioles will once again look to the core of Adam Jones, Matt Wieters and home run king Chris Davis to contend in the vicious AL East.
Chicago White Sox (+4,000)
Following the immediate impact of Yoenis Cespedes and Yasiel Puig, the White Sox hope new first baseman Jose Abreu will continue the trend of successful Cuban ballplayers in MLB.
Cleveland Indians (+4,000)
With Scott Kazmir gone and Ubaldo Jimenez seemingly set to follow, the 2014 starting rotation for the Indians will look markedly different from last season’s. Still, Terry Francona has a way of shaping teams composed of spare parts into postseason contenders.
Milwaukee Brewers (+5,000)
All eyes will be on disgraced PED user Ryan Braun to see if he can replicate his MVP-caliber play without doping, and lift the Brewers back toward playoff contention.
Chicago Cubs (+5,000)
In the absence of significant personnel moves, the Cubs will be banking on improvements from their young stars Starlin Castro and Anthony Rizzo.
New York Mets (+6,000)
Ex-Yankees Curtis Granderson and Bartolo Colon will make the short move from the Bronx to Queens, but the Mets likely won’t make moves up the standings.
Colorado Rockies (+6,000)
The Rockies will be without Todd Helton for the first time in 17 years, but what they can’t afford is to be without either Troy Tulowitzki or Carlos Gonzalez for even 17 games.
San Diego Padres (+7,500)
The Padres starting pitching let them down again last season, but the addition of Josh Johnson, amongst others, should help.
Minnesota Twins (+8,000)
Prospects Miguel Sano and Byron Buxton could get their first taste of major league action later this year, but the two most likely won’t swing a tight pennant race.
Miami Marlins (+10,000)
With a very youthful Giancarlo Stanton-Christian Yelich-Marcell Ozuna outfield and reigning Rookie of the Year Jose Fernandez leading the rotation, the Marlins’ bright future may come as early as this season.
Houston Astros (+20,000)
The Astros upgraded in centerfield by trading for Dexter Fowler, but they’re still a long way from respectability, much less the World Series.
Who do you think will win the World Series in 2014? Visit the Top Bet Sportsbook MLB Futures section to view the 2014 World Series odds and place your bets today.
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