MLB Free Agency Already Affecting 2014 Betting Odds
The Major League Baseball season is still months away from starting, but already bettors are getting a glimpse of what the betting odds may be in 2014. With free agency beginning this past week, players are starting to choose teams and alter betting odds.
The biggest free agent on the market this year is New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano. The powerful lefty that most consider to be the best second baseman in the league is being courted by several teams, and has already had dinner with a few suitors.
The most newsworthy team to sit down with Cano was the Yankees crosstown rival, the New York Mets. The Mets downplayed the dinner meeting, saying it was not likely they would make an offer to Cano. The Dodgers and Rangers, two teams expected to get in on Cano at some point, have both stayed away early on.
The winner of the Cano sweepstakes would likely move to the top of the betting odds chart for next season. If the Dodgers or Rangers land Cano, they undoubtedly would become the favorites to win the World Series in 2014.
Texas has already made one big splash this off season, although it came from a trade and not free agency. The Rangers acquired Prince Fielder from the Tigers in exchange for Ian Kinler. The acquisition of Kinsler will most likely keep Detroit out of the Cano bidding war.
The Dodgers continued their assault on free agent pitchers when they added Dan Haren. Los Angeles hit on both ends in signing Haren, as they also pried him away from divisional rival Arizona. The Dodgers are considered to be one of the favorites to win a title next season.