After successfully predicting Shohei Ohtani would cash in on the American League MVP Award odds last season, my preseason picks for the 2024 MLB season aren’t looking too promising five weeks into the action. Prior to the season’s start, I favored Julio Rodriguez (+100), took a chance on Adolis Garcia (+6000), and went for a longshot with Isaac Paredes (+15000). However, Julio and Adolis’ odds have now shifted to +3500, with Paredes holding the same return rate. Interestingly, Caesars Sportsbook also missed the mark early on, with two of the current clubhouse leaders, Gunnar Henderson (+300) and Bobby Witt Jr. (+400), seeing their odds dramatically shorten from +2000 and +2500, respectively. With plenty of season left to play, let’s analyze the current odds and identify which players deserve attention from MLB futures odds bettors moving forward.

Bet AL MVP Award Odds at Caesars Sportsbook

      *Remaining Players all 10-1 or greater

Favorite: Juan Soto +250

The Yankees prized offseason acquisition has fit in superbly for a team that desperately needed one if not two of its superstars to remain on the field. That hasn’t been the case with Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton the last handful of years. Because of it, New York missed out on the playoffs a season ago and wasn’t a factor when it qualified the previous six times. That just might not be the case moving forward with Juan Soto in the outfield and supplanted atop the batting order with that short porch in left field of Yankees Stadium always paying dividends for the 25-year old. Soto gave us a glimpse of what his future might look like last season when he played in all 162 games for the Padres and set some career-high marks with 35 home runs and 132 walks. He was voted to the All-Star game, won his third silver Slugger award, and finished sixth in NL MVP voting. 

Currently, the left-handed power hitter has been a force on the base paths, boasting a .432 on-base percentage and drawing 26 walks while only striking out 23 times. What’s more, he’s played in all 37 of the Yankees’ games, further solidifying his reputation as an ironman after overcoming earlier career injuries. Kudos to those who got in on the original 6-1 price tag for the opening AL MVP betting odds. If this trend persists, I don’t foresee Gunnar Henderson, Bobby Witt Jr., or anyone else having enough momentum to steal first-place votes from Soto by the end of the year.

Underdog: Julio Rodriguez +3500

Unfortunately for my futures odds portfolio, Julio Rodriguez has once again started the season slowly. This mirrors last season’s pattern, but despite the slow start, Seattle’s dynamic centerfielder managed to hit .275, produce a respectable .818 OPS, hit 32 home runs, and steal 37 bases – both career highs in those categories for the now 23-year-old. It wasn’t until after the All-Star break that Julio caught fire, yet he still played in the game, won a Silver Slugger award, and finished fourth in AL MVP voting.

While I won’t personally be taking another chance at a much more attractive rate of return, given that I’m already invested at 10-1, I highly recommend MLB futures bettors without #44 in their portfolio to at least consider a modest investment. There’s a chance the switch flips earlier this time around, and he starts playing like the supreme difference-maker his pedigree suggests. Seattle will need him to elevate his game at some point if they are to contend with the defending champs in what currently looks like a two-horse race for division supremacy.

Longshot: Riley Greene +6000

While I’m not thrilled with the return on investment, given that the Tigers’ standout outfielder opened at 250-1, I don’t realistically see this lottery ticket winning the MVP award. However, Riley Greene deserves recognition as an emerging talent who could be a contender in this award race for years to come. Detroit has struggled offensively in 2024, ranking in the bottom third of the league in all major statistical categories. Without Greene, they’d fare even worse. He’s on pace to set career highs across the board, with team-leading figures in hits (34, including 9 HR), RBIs (17), and walks (25). Additionally, his stellar defense puts him in line for his first Gold Glove. Currently, Caesars offers the best return on investment if you’re willing to take a chance on Detroit’s 23-year-old playing an even bigger role in the MVP race the remainder of the year.

Bet MLB Futures Odds at Caesars Sportsbook