Comparing All 2018 World Series Futures Before and After Winter Meetings

As we noted in our earlier column, the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels benefitted greatly from moves they made at the Winter Meetings this year. The Yankees traded for Giancarlo Stanton, who is the reigning NL MVP and considered to be the best hitter in baseball. The Angels signed Shohei Ohtani of Japan. Ohtani is a power-hitting, starting pitcher who may be both in the rotation and in the DH spot. Check out the two lists below to see how 2018 World Series futures changed from November to December.

Late Nov. 2017 Odds to win 2018 Word Series

A few things about these odds should be noted. They are much looser than the odds posted in December. In some ways, before 2018 World Series futures changed a few weeks ago, they might be considered to be more optimistic due to the fact that there were so many moves that had not yet been made.

Odds at +500 to +950

Houston Astros +500
Los Angeles Dodgers +550
Cleveland Indians +750

Odds at +1000 to +1950

Washington Nationals +1000
Boston Red Sox +1100
Chicago Cubs +1100
New York Yankees +1100

Odds at +2000 to +2950

St. Louis Cardinals +2200
New York Mets +2200
Arizona Diamondbacks +2800
Toronto Blue Jays +2800

Odds at +3000 to +3950

Tampa Bay Rays +3300
Milwaukee Brewers +3300
Seattle Mariners +3300

Odds at +4000 to +4950

Colorado Rockies +4000
San Francisco Giants +4000

Odds at +5000 to +5950

Atlanta Braves +5000
Kansas City Royals +5000
Baltimore Orioles +5000
Texas Rangers +5000
Los Angeles Angels +5000
Chicago White Sox +5000

Odds at +6000 to +6950

Minnesota Twins +6600
Pittsburgh Pirates +6600
Miami Marlins +6600
Cincinnati Reds +6600
Oakland Athletics +6600

Odds at +7000 or Higher

Philadelphia Phillies +7500
Detroit Tigers +10000
San Diego Padres +10000

Late Dec. 2017 Odds to win 2018 Word Series

When you read through the odds below pay special attention to the lower half of those teams listed. When 2018 World Series futures changed the number of those who were in need of help grew and the direness of their situations seemed to be magnified. The number of teams listed at +7000 or higher went from three in Nov. to 11, more than one-third of all MLB teams, in Dec. There are also fewer teams between +3000 and +6000. In Nov., there has been six teams at +5000; in Dec, there was one in that bracket, the Colorado Rockies, who saw their odds rise from +4000 to +5000.

Odds at +500 to +950

New York Yankees +500
Houston Astros +600
Los Angeles Dodgers +600
Cleveland Indians +750

Odds at +1000 to +1950

Washington Nationals +1000
Boston Red Sox +1000
Chicago Cubs +1200
St. Louis Cardinals +1800

Odds at +2000 to +2950

Arizona Diamondbacks +2200
Los Angeles Angels +2500
San Francisco Giants +2500
New York Mets +2800

Odds at +3000 to +3950

Seattle Mariners +3300

Odds at +4000 to +4950

Toronto Blue Jays +4000
Tampa Bay Rays +4000
Milwaukee Brewers +4000

Odds at +5000 to +5950

Colorado Rockies +5000

Odds at +6000 to +6950

Texas Rangers +6600
Chicago White Sox +6600

Odds +7000 to +7950

Atlanta Braves +7500
Kansas City Royals +7500
Baltimore Orioles +7500
Minnesota Twins +7500

Odds +10000 to +15000

Pittsburgh Pirates +10000
Miami Marlins +10000
Cincinnati Reds +10000
Oakland Athletics +10000
Philadelphia Phillies +10000
San Diego Padres +10000
Detroit Tigers +15000

2018 World Series Futures Changes

The fact that the 2018 World Series futures changed from Nov. to Dec. is not significant. They always do after the Winter Meetings. But the huge jump for the Yankees and Angels is important to note. The move up to the top of the odds list for New York seems to be realistic, the huge movement on the part of the Angels does not. World Series futures odds will, of course, change again, as more deals are made and rosters are solidified during spring training. Stay tuned for the latest developments.