We’re only halfway through January and plenty of big-name free agents are yet to sign, but bettors should still be evaluating MLB futures markets on a regular basis. It’s an opportunity to jump on value bets before swathes of casual bettors place wagers and shift the odds.
Moving early is often a benefit when it comes to futures markets. Maybe you are expecting a big trade, perhaps logic dictates a couple of landing spots for a remaining free agent like Framber Valdez. Use this to your advantage to analyze the futures markets, even with a couple of months until Opening Day.
Mariners to Win World Series (+1300)
Seattle was one win away from its first World Series appearance in 2025. Josh Naylor has been tied down to a long-term deal, Colt Emerson is ready to contribute at the big-league level, and the rotation is healthy.
José Ferrer carried a high prospect cost, but he adds to the bullpen. This team was already tied for the second-best offense in the 2025 regular season and has arguably the best one-to-five rotation in the game.
These odds feel pretty generous for a team as talented as Seattle. There’s no juggernaut in the American League, and the Mariners are well-positioned to earn a first-round bye with a relatively weak AL West.
World Series Matchup: Dodgers vs. Red Sox (+1700)
The Dodgers have followed winning back-to-back titles by signing Edwin Díaz and Kyle Tucker. They are overwhelming favorites to complete a three-peat, and no team in either league is close to their level of talent.
Boston has lost Alex Bregman, but Willson Contreras was a shrewd offensive addition. Ranger Suárez and Sonny Gray elevate the rotation considerably. A full season of Roman Anthony, with Marcelo Mayer and Kristian Campbell benefiting from another year of experience, and Boston could be a top 10 offense.
Los Angeles just showed us how they can use their starting pitching depth to navigate the playoffs. That formula could be even more dominant if Roki Sasaki is healthy. Boston can also utilize its depth arms behind Garrett Crochet, Gray, and Suárez.
From a betting perspective, Los Angeles’ supremacy in the NL creates an opportunity in these markets. We like the Red Sox as a dark horse after an interesting offseason and with young talent to come. So we are going to take a chance and pair a Boston AL winner bet with the Dodgers reaching the Fall Classic for some lengthy odds.
Dodgers or Mariners to Win World Series (+165)
The Dodgers and Mariners are the two best teams in baseball as of Jan. 20. An implied probability of 37.7% seems low considering the talent on these respective ballclubs, and particularly the strength of their rotations.
Los Angeles is +220 in this market. We’re not losing much by adding the Mariners to the wager. This Mariners team isn’t going to drastically decline and they have a pretty favorable path to the playoffs with Houston regressing and Texas seemingly in limbo.
There are surprises aplenty in the postseason, sure. The unpredictability is reflected in the odds already. One thing that removes some of that volatility is having a deep rotation that can work deep into games, and both teams have that luxury.
Cubs to Win World Series (+2000)
Bregman replaces most of Tucker’s production. Edward Cabrera is a potential All-Star in 2026. Phil Maton, Hunter Harvey, Hoby Milner, and Jacob Webb are smart bullpen additions.
They are some notable upgrades to a 92-win team. Justin Steele is also expected to return during the 2026 campaign. Milwaukee tailed off in the second half and won’t be the same force as they were in 2025.
This team is capable of winning 95+ games. There’s a relatively high floor, so they should at least make the playoffs, which gives them a chance of going all the way.
Red Sox or Cubs to Win World Series (+900)
You can see the logic here. If we’re high on the Cubs and Red Sox, surely it makes sense to combine them into a World Series wager? It covers both bases and still gets us some pretty hefty potential returns.
Boston was more competitive than expected in 2025 and has made meaningful additions. Chicago has a clear path to winning the division and might be able to make a push for a first-round bye.
Neither of these teams are favored in their respective leagues, but they have more than enough talent to reach (and win) the World Series. They are both being underrated by sportsbooks at the moment.
AL East Team to Win World Series (+310)
There’s no clearly dominant team in the AL East. This pick is about having four teams with World Series-winning upside in the Blue Jays, Orioles, Yankees, and Red Sox.
In four of the last five seasons, the AL East has provided two wild-card teams. We’d project the same outcome again in 2026, giving us three dice rolls in the lottery of the postseason.
A lot can change between the time of writing and the playoffs, but as it stands, at least half of the AL’s World Series contenders are in the AL East.
Mets to Win National League (+800)
Last season went drastically wrong for the Mets. Finishing with 83 wins was a grotesque disappointment, and missing the playoffs hurt.
New York then saw Tucker sign elsewhere after Pete Alonso became an Oriole. Steve Cohen wasted no time in landing Bo Bichette to join a revamped infield with Jorge Polanco and Marcus Semien. Framber Valdez and Cody Bellinger are nice fits at Citi Field with Cohen’s spending expected to continue.
Part of this wager is banking on further additions. Even if the Mets stand pat, though, they have an impressive offense with young starters (Nolan McLean, Brandon Sproat, Jonah Tong) ready to give the rotation a much-needed facelift.
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