Juan Soto trade to New York boosts Yankees World Series odds to top 3 overnight

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Someone finally turned on the “hot stove” last night to break the frost off the Winter Meetings, and the Yankees finally have their young masher (and OBP master) to round out their outfield, and their lineup.

The Yankees made waves last night by landing Juan Soto from the Padres along with outfielder Trent Grisham, for righty pitchers Michael King, Jhony Brito, and Randy Vasquez, along with catcher Kyle Higashioka and starting pitching prospect Drew Thorpe.

While New York gave away a slew of young, team-controlled arms they’ll need to replace, they’ll have one of the best hitters in the game for at least a season, with a chance at signing him to a lengthy deal that’s eluded Soto since his start with the Nationals. This had Yankees World Series oddsbuzzing overnight, with the Bronx Bombers now in the top 3 to win the World Series, and the new favorites for the American League pennant over last year’s winner, the Texas Rangers.

With Juan Soto now in the lineup, and the belief that the Yankees will go out and spend to replace their pitching according to articles on ESPN and Fangraphs, the Yankees moved up past perennial contenders Houston and Texas to settle into third place for the latest World Series odds.

This puts them firmly behind the Braves (+700 at DraftKings) and the Dodgers (+750 at Caesars) as favorites to win the World Series. And who could blame them, with an outfield that now features both Aaron Judge and Juan Soto, and the recently-traded-for Alex Verdugo, with Giancarlo Stanton possibly seeing some time out there along with recent waiver pickup Oscar Gonzalez.

While the Yankees were just barely above .500 in 2023, this trade proves their intent on taking back the AL East from the surging Orioles and consistent contender Rays.

With their potent lineup almost set now that Juan Soto is slotted into it, the Yankees found themselves as the odds-on favorite to win the American League pennant and represent the AL in the World Series. American League pennant winner futures odds at FanDuelhas them at a +500 to take the AL crown.

Those odds can still shift based on their activity the rest of the offseason, and if they pick up quality pitching, especially with eyes on highly-coveted free agent pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, you may see your potential profit on Yankees futures bets shrink significantly.

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