MLB Contenders Boost 2022 Odds with Trades & Free Agency Moves

When the 2021-22 MLB lockout came to an end last week, the free agency and trade market floodgates opened up once again. Teams didn’t waste much time fleshing out their respective rosters, especially with only less than a month away until Opening Day 2022.

Although most teams have been fairly active, some moves have been significantly bigger than others. After all, a club hoping to contend for a World Series is more likely to pull off a more significant trade or signing than a middle-of-the-pack team.

We won’t know the effects that these players will have on their new teams until the 2022 MLB season begins. However, the latest futures betting odds give us a better idea as to whether or not these transactions have actually helped those teams’ championship aspirations.

Braves Add Olson Via Trade to Replace L.A.-Bound Freeman

Freddie Freeman has been the Atlanta Braves’ starting first baseman ever since the 2011 MLB campaign. However, his chapter in Atlanta has closed after winning the 2021 World Series with them, as he has signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers in a six-year, $162 million deal.

While most teams would have trouble finding a suitable replacement, the Braves didn’t waste any time. Instead, they acquired 1B Matt Olson from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for four prospects.

A two-time Golden Glove winner and former MLB All-Star, Olson owns one of the most explosive bats in baseball. The 27-year-old had the best campaign of his career in 2021, setting new career-highs when it comes to hits (153), home runs (39) and RBIs (111).

Olson’s .271/.371/.540 line was also the best of his career, while his 16.8% strikeout rating was the lowest it’s been since his rookie year. At the end of the season, his overall efforts were good enough to land him in eighth place in the American League MVP race.

Olson may not have Freeman’s connection with Braves fans just yet but acquiring him was key in the team remaining as a contender. Atlanta +1400 odds to win the World Series next year, which ranks seventh best across the Majors.

Assuming the team stays healthy and general manager Alex Anthopoulos continues to flesh out the roster ahead of Opening Day, the Braves should be in the championship mix all season long.

Yankees Acquire Three-Time MLB All-Star & Former AL MVP Donaldson from Twins

The New York Yankees are one of the most storied teams in MLB history and are consistently competing for a shot at a championship. It’s been 12 years since they last won a World Series, which is why general manager Brian Cashman pulled off a significant deal to begin the post-lockout era.

The Yankees acquired 3B Josh Donaldson, SS Isiah Kiner-Falefa and C Ben Rortvedt from the Twins last week in exchange for 3B Gio Urshela and C Gary Sanchez.

Adding Donaldson and Kiner-Falefa to an infield that already includes Luke Voit and Gleyber Torres has put the Yankees over the top. While he may no longer be an MVP candidate, Donaldson impressed with 26 home runs and 72 RBIs while slashing .247/.352/.475 in 457 at-bats for the Twins in 2021.

Meanwhile, Kiner-Falefa was only a Twin for one day before Minnesota shipped him off to New York. The former Gold Glove winner spent the 2021 MLB campaign with the Texas Rangers, finishing with eight HRs and 53 RBIs on a .271/.312/.357 slash line in 635 ABs.

As it stands, the Yankees now have +1100 odds (T-No. 4) to win the 2022 World Series, according to BetMGM, so it’s evident that this trade has helped a lot. Taking into account the club’s pre-existing roster and it’s hard not to imagine them making a championship run this Fall.

Will the Blue Jays Strike Gold with Another All-Star Third Baseman from the A’s?

Seven years ago, the Toronto Blue Jays acquired an All-Star third baseman in Donaldson from the Oakland Athletics. The deal resulted in them going all the way to the ALCS that season.

Fast forward to the present and the Blue Jays have acquired another standout third baseman from the A’s. This time, Oakland traded Matt Chapman to Toronto in exchange for four prospects.

Chapman is coming off a 2021 MLB season in which he underperformed offensively. He made 529 ABs with the Athletics, finishing with 27 HRs, 72 RBIs and a .210/.314/.403 slash line. The fact that he struck out in 32.5% of his plate appearances also left a lot to be desired.

Nevertheless, a change of scenery could be what Chapman needs. He was on pace for 43 home runs and 110 RBIs in a 162-game season in 2020, so it isn’t even like his best days are behind him.

Besides, the 28-year-old is also valued for his defense. He’s a three-time Gold Glove winner for a reason and his .987 field percentage at third base last year was the best of his career.

With Chapman, the Blue Jays have one of the more loaded rosters in the Majors. From a lethal hitting lineup to a much-improved pitching rotation, the makings are there for them to compete for a World Series title.

BetMGM has the Blue Jays listed at +1300 odds (No. 6) to win the 2022 championship. That’s pretty impressive for just how young their roster actually is. If everything unfolds as planned, this MLB season could be the one where Toronto makes the jump to contender status.

Breakthrough 2021 MLB Season Lands Rodon a New Home in San Francisco

After winning three World Series titles in five seasons to begin the 2010s, the San Francisco Giants have made it to the playoffs just once since 2017. Although they finished the 2021 campaign with 107 wins and an NLDS appearance, it was evident that there was still work that needs to be done.

That’s exactly why the Giants went out a signed All-Star left-handed starting pitcher Carlos Rodon to a two-year, $44 million contract. Adding him to a rotation that already boasted Alex Wood, Logan Webb and Anthony DeSclafani has given San Francisco one of the best pitching units in the National League, let alone the Majors as a whole.

Rodon was electric in 24 starts with the Chicago White Sox last season. He finished with a 13-5 record, along with a career-best 2.37 ERA and a 0.957 WHIP in 132.2 innings pitched. His efforts earned him his first All-Star appearance en route to finishing fifth in NL Cy Young voting.

What Rodon really excelled at last year was limiting what his opponents could hit. He averaged a 34.6% strikeout rating — significantly above his career average of 24.9% — and finished with a personal-best 12.6 strikeouts per 9IP.

Although Rodon can’t play every game for the Giants, his presence has helped solidify their championship odds. They currently have +2000 odds to win the World Series, which ranks 13th-best on BetMGM. With a few more pieces, the Giants may be able to snap their title drought.