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2009 MLB World Series Odds
July 17, 2009
Oddsmakers from online sportsbook Sportsbook.com have made the New York Yankees 5/2 favorites to win the 2009 World Series. After signing starting pitchers CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett, as well as adding top free agent hitter Mark Teixeira, it’s easy to see why oddsmakes believe the Bronx Bombers will win baseball’s championship next season.
Last year’s World Series champs, the Philadelphia Philles, are currently 11/1 long shots to win a title this season. The Boston Red Sox (15/2), Chicago Cubs (7/1) and New York Mets (7/1) all have better odds to win than the Phillies, who are still trying to sign slugger Ryan Howard to a long-term contract.
The youthful Tampa Bay Rays won’t sneak up on anyone this year and that’s why oddsmakers have established their odds to win at 12/1. The AL West Champion Los Angeles Angels were given 11/1 odds, while everyone’s 2007 World Series darlings, the Detroit Tigers, were given 20/1 odds to win this year. After trading for Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis before the 2007 season, the Tigers of course, stumbled out of the gate and had a massively disappointing season.
If you’re big on long shot candidates, look no further than the Baltimore Orioles at 150/1, Kansas City Royals at 150/1, Pittsburgh Pirates at 200/1, San Diego Padres at 200/1 and Washington Nationals at 150/1. Remember, the Rays had 150/1 odds to win at most sports books before last season and then went all the way to the Series. So don’t count out any of the teams previously mentioned.
For odds to win on all the MLB teams this year, see below.
2009 MLB WORLD SERIES ODDS TO WIN
Arizona Diamondbacks 30/1
Atlanta Braves 35/1
Baltimore Orioles 150/1
Boston Red Sox 15/2
Chicago Cubs 7/1
Chicago White Sox 25/1
Cincinnati Reds 50/1
Cleveland Indians 25/1
Colorado Rockies 60/1
Detroit Tigers 20/1
Florida Marlins 40/1
Houston Astros 40/1
Kansas City Royals 150/1
Los Angeles Angels 11/1
Los Angeles Dodgers 17/1
Milwaukee Brewers 35/1
Minnesota Twins 25/1
New York Mets 7/1
New York Yankees 5/2
Oakland Athletics 55/1
Philadelphia Phillies 11/1
Pittsburgh Pirates 200/1
San Diego Padres 200/1
San Francisco Giants 40/1
Seattle Mariners 100/1
St Louis Cardinals 30/1
Tampa Bay Rays 12/1
Texas Rangers 60/1
Toronto Blue Jays 60/1
Washington Nationals 150/1
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MLB - Roy Halladay Trade Talks Continue
Crunch Sports Staff
July 17, 2009
Roy Halladay would be a welcome addition to several teams.
As we write this, Roy Halladay of the Toronto Blue Jays is taking his regular turn against the Tampa Bay Rays. Whether or not it is his last start for the Jays may depend on how quickly Toronto management can act.
The Blue Jays, who held the American League East lead for a while, even after sustaining injuries in the starting rotation, have recently begun to fade. They went into Thursday's action at the .500 mark, and they are well off the pace that is now set by the Boston Red Sox, as well as eight games out of the wild card race. The pitching problems have continued, and there have been no less than twelve different hurlers who have taken the mound for a start.
In what is probably their way of giving up on the season, the Blue Jays first released reliever BJ Ryan and now want to get something for their pitching ace, who himself has done a stint on the disabled list, and are willing to listen to all offers. He will undoubtedly command plenty in return. Halladay went into the start against the Rays with a 10-2 record and 2.79 ERA, and his body of work may put him on track for eventual induction into Cooperstown. His 141-68 career record is good for a .675 winning percentage, which places him ninth all-time. He has a Cy Young Award and is headed to his sixth All-Star Game.
The question at this point might be: will he be wearing a different uniform for the Mid-Summer Classic in St. Louis?
Understandably, there is tremendous interest, because the addition of Halladay to a rotation might just mean a pennant. Respected columnist Bill Conlin of the Philadelphia Daily News wrote, "Despite the $15.75 million his Blue Jays contract calls for next season - the final year on his current deal - this year's CC Sabathia could be the best pitcher on the block since Tom Seaver forced his trade from the Mets to the Reds at the 1977 deadline."
Let's take a look at what the other teams are saying, and what is being said about them:
First of all, let's look at the Blue Jays themselves, and the strong rumor that they may be insisting that any team looking for Halladay must also be willing to take Vernon Wells in the deal. Wells hit .300 last year but is at .264 now, and Toronto owes him more than $100 million in contract guarantees over the next five years. They want out of that deal, and in exchange they want talent "that makes you sit up and take notice," according to GM J.P. Ricciardi.
As if the price tag for Halladay wasn't enough, the inclusion of Wells in any deal would almost certainly preclude all but the big-wallet teams from taking the plunge. The New York Yankees, who are engaged in a battle with the Boston Red Sox, are usually willing to talk, and Halladay would actually fill a spot in the rotation where they need someone to pick up the slack, but there would appear to be no plausible reason they'd be interested in Wells.
The Philadelphia Phillies have to be thinking about adding a pitcher, because they just don't have enough strong arms to fill out the rotation, and they can't build up any margin in this division, despite the collapse of the New York Mets. The feeling is that the Phillies may have enough top-shelf prospects to package in a trade, and they could offer some quantity. Pitcher Kyle Drabek is someone the Blue Jays would almost certainly want, but the Phillies may not be willing to part with him. J.A. Happ, the rookie pitcher who Toronto scouts have been following lately, may be a different story. This is what GM Ruben Amaro Jr. had to say: "We’ll try to be aggressive with the right deal. At the same time, we have to be prudent about what some of these moves might impact our future, too.” Actually, that really doesn't mean anything.
According to writer Joe Strauss, a source from within the St. Louis Cardinals organization said, "Give Ricciardi all our minor-league rosters and let him circle any 5 names." The Red Sox would appear to have enough pitching depth that they really didn't need Halladay. Then again, the Red Sox also have enough pitching depth to where they could structure a very attractive trade deal to get him. Josh Beckett would welcome Halladay to the rotation. “I think that would be great,” he said “Obviously if you can add something like that it’s a big deal. I can imagine it. I don’t know if it’s going to happen or not. We’ll see.” Actually, it is on offense that Boston really needs help, and the aforementioned Wells isn't the answer (Maybe Scott Rolen, who they could get on the cheap?).
The Mets could really use an arm like Halladay's, but the minor league system is relatively thin, and it's almost certain they would not have enough people to make the deal attractive for Toronto. And owner Fred Wilpon is shy about opening his wallet after he was robbed blind by Bernie Madoff (to the tune of up to $300 million). Evidence indicates Wilpon's failed business dealings with Madoff have had their effect on the baseball team.
The Milwaukee Brewers intend to put themselves firmly in the running, according to GM Doug Melvin, who made the deal to bring Sabathia to the Brew Crew last year. The Chicago White Sox (+350 to win the AL Central at BetUS) tried to deal for Jake Peavy earlier in the season, but manager Ozzie Guillen doesn't see Halladay as a possibility, maintaining that the reversal in Jose Contreras' fortunes is like making a big trade and getting a pitcher.
The Texas Rangers are a team that needs immediate help in the pitching staff, and could be the right place for Ricciardi to deal with because of the fact that they have a deep farm system with prospects that Toronto could be interested in. Texas had been interested in Ben Sheets during the off-season and briefly had some interest in Pedro Martinez. However, owner Tom Hicks had had woeful financial problems, and that could figure prominently into any possible deals. According to GM Ian Daniels, "At the end of the day we will continue to try to make the team better. If there's something there, we'll move on it."
Futures bettors can expect the winner of this "sweepstakes" to be playing well into October and you would be smart to hop on the bandwagon of any team that adds Halladay immediately.
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Buchholz proves he's ready for Majors -- In spot start, Sox's top pitching prospect keeps Jays at bay
By Ian Browne
July 17, 2009
TORONTO -- It might have just been a one-day pass back to the Major Leagues, but Clay Buchholz provided convincing proof that once he returns, it might be for good.
Looking nothing like the overwhelmed prospect who was admittedly shell-shocked last year, Buchholz was sharp and in control, leading the Red Sox to a 4-1 victory over the Blue Jays on Friday night at Rogers Centre.
Boston's top pitching prospect, Buchholz held the Jays to four hits and one run over 5 2/3 innings, walking three and striking out three. He threw 103 pitches.
Buchholz, 24, was given a one-day promotion so that All-Stars Josh Beckett and Tim Wakefield could get additional rest heading into the second half. He is likely to be optioned back to Triple-A to open up a roster spot for shortstop Jed Lowrie, who is expected to play on Saturday afternoon.
If Buchholz continues on the path he's been on all year, he figures to re-emerge in Boston's pitching plans in the not too distant future.
It was the sixth career win for Buchholz, who threw a no-hitter against the Baltimore Orioles on Sept. 1, 2007.
Kevin Youkilis gave the Red Sox just the type of early spark they were looking for, ripping a two-run homer to left in the first to give Buchholz some breathing room before he even threw a pitch.
After handling the Jays over his first three innings, Buchholz got into some trouble in the fourth. A double by Lyle Overbay set up runners at second and third with one out, setting up Alex Rios for a sacrifice fly to center.
But the Red Sox wasted no time off-setting that run, as David Ortiz belted a two-run double off the wall in left to make it 4-1 Sox in the top of the fifth.
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Red Sox, Bay table contract talks -- Sides assuage potential distraction by halting negotiations
By Ian Browne
July 17, 2009
TORONTO -- The Red Sox have come to a mutual decision with left fielder Jason Bay that it is probably best to table any further contract negotiations until after the season. That said, both sides remain hopeful that a deal will later be struck that can keep the consistent slugger in a Boston uniform for the next several years.
Bay said he'd be open to talking again with the Red Sox before he is eligible to file for free agency. Free agents aren't eligible to sign with another team until 15 days after the World Series, which means there could still be time for Bay to strike a deal with Boston.
"I'm in no position to say I want to file for free agency and see what's out there," said Bay. "I'd still love to get something done here. I've made that kind of known. I like it here. That being said, we basically at this point don't want it to be an ongoing distraction for both of us -- coming to the field and answering contract questions.
There's a big window at the end of the year after the season to sit down and try to hammer something out again. The way things have gone so far, I'm very encouraged with that."
The Sox have come to appreciate Bay's durability, productivity and professionalism since acquiring him from the Pirates in a blockbuster trade for Manny Ramirez on July 31, 2008.
General manager Theo Epstein said that the sides started revisiting a new pact for Bay in mid-June.
"Some offers were exchanged, concluding in another offer from the club about a week ago, and it's now clear that this round of talks won't result in a deal either," Epstein said. "We're going to table discussions again, which is, once again, a mutual decision and pick them up, most likely, after the season."
Bay is hitting .260 with 20 homers and 72 RBIs entering Friday's action. He started for the American League in the All-Star Game.
"I think we were really hopeful that with the aggressive offer that we made, we could have reached a deal now," said Epstein. "But we have complete respect for Jason as a player and as a person and for what free agency means to players. He's worked his whole career, and had a really consistent career, to get to a point where he can set his family up for life. We're not going to hold anything against him because he makes a decision that he may want to wait and be able to consider every possible opportunity."
Perhaps increasing the chances of a future deal is how amicable the negotiations have been to this point.
"I think he sat down with us in good faith and we approached him in good faith and it just didn't work out at this point," said Epstein. "We'll see what the future brings. We still want to retain him. I think he still wants to be here. It's just not going to happen now."
Bay is more confident after this impasse then the one that took place midway through Spring Training.
"They've made great strides and I appreciate it but as of right now, the best interests of both parties is we didn't get something reached by [the end of the All-Star break]," said Bay. "But I'm very encouraged."
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