It took a Ruthian effort from Aaron Judge to beat Ohtani in 2022, and it could happen again in 2023.
Shohei Ohtani (+200) is the favorite to win AL MVP at SI Sportsbook.
Ohtani is the legitimate favorite to win his second MVP award in 2023. The league’s only two-way player pitched to a 2.33 ERA (sixth in MLB) with 15 wins (T-4th) while also smashing 34 home runs (T -8th ) and hitting .270 in 2022. That’s awfully hard to beat. He took Aaron Judge (+500) 62 home runs and put the Yankees on his back to reach the postseason to surpass Ohtani in 2022. That scenario seems unlikely to happen again, and Ohtani looks like a good bet even at 2-to- 1. Quite simply: No one can do what he can do.
Mark J. Rebilas/USA Today Sports
Ohtani’s teammate, Mike Trout, comes in at the third best odds at +650. Trout still has the power, but he has a lingering back injury that will potentially cost him playing time. It would take the Angels reaching the postseason for Trout to get a real shot, but the three-time AL MVP should never be underestimated.
Julio Rodriguez at +800 has a chance to take a step forward in 2023. Now on a long-term deal with the Mariners, the young outfielder who hit 25 home runs and stole 28 bases in 2023 will try to lead the Mariners to another berth after the season. Rodriguez set a record last season when he hit the most home runs by a rookie (32) in the Home Run Derby and is only 22 years old.
Jordan Alvarez (+1100) is good value for a player who has all the skills of Aaron Judge – and he plays in a better lineup, so he should be more protected. He could also benefit this year from being banned from switching alongside his left-back teammate Kyle Tucker (+2000), who is in contract year. Both young outfielders for Houston could be worth a flier.
If the Texas Rangers make the postseason, Corey Seeger (+3000) will probably be a big part of that. The team has certainly invested in success by adding the starting pitcher Jacob deGrom this offseason, and Seager is another player who could benefit greatly from the new shift bans.
There are many fantastic players included Jose Ramirez (+1100), Jose Altuve (+5000) and Jose Abreu (+6600) that offer good payouts, but the trick will be getting in front of the modern Babe Ruth, Shohei Ohtani.
Here are the current AL MVP odds at SI Sportsbook:
Shohei Ohtani +200
Aaron Judge +500
Mike Trout +650
Julio Rodriguez +800
Yordan Alvarez +1100
Jose Ramirez +1600
Kyle Tucker +2000
Byron Buxton +3000
Rafael Devers +3000
Corey Seager +3000
Adley Rutschman +3500
Carlos Correa +3500
Wandering Franco +3500
Bo Bichette +4000
Alex Bregman +4000
Luis Robert +4000
Giancarlo Stanton +5000
Jose Altuve +5000
George Springer +5000
Marcus Semien +6600
Jose Abreu +6600
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