New 2023 NY Yankees & Mets Futures With MLB Spring Training Underway

With the Super Bowl not taking place until mid-February now, the sports calendar has less of a lull than it did for New York baseball fans, as spring training got underway just a couple days after the big game. Of course, our attention turns to new 2023 MLB futures just released for the New York Yankees and Mets.

After free agency wrapped up with the New York teams being big winners, oddsmakers have the Yankees and Mets among the top-four favorites to win the World Series along with defending champion Houston and the 2020 champion Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Yankees picked up San Francisco pitcher Carlos Rodon and made the signing of the offseason by retaining the services of Aaron Judge after his 62-home-run MVP season in 2022.

Things didn’t start as well for the Mets, as Jacob DeGrom moved on to Texas on a five-year deal, which is apparently longer than the Mets were willing to commit. Right on cue, reports from Arizona state that DeGrom is being kept from a couple of bullpen sessions due to tightness in his left side.

The Mets responded by signing AL Cy Young winner Justin Verlander, free agent Jose Quintana, and Japanese import Kodai Senga. NY also retained the services of closer Edwin Diaz, outfielder Brandon Nimmo, and second baseman Jeff McNeil.

With spring training underway, more 2023 MLB futures bets are available. Let’s start with one that New York baseball fans who wish both teams well will enjoy.

That’s right–FanDuel is offering a very New York wager: Will there be a baseball-related parade in New York City in early November?

With both teams trending at around +800 in most 2023 MLB futures markets, this wager makes sense. You’re picking up two of the four World Series favorites at +400. If you plan on betting on both New York teams to win the World Series separately, you may want to pick up this wager instead.

On the other hand, you’ll be getting some quality teams among the other 28 clubs if you bet “No” at -550. This includes every team that’s won the World Series since 2009. Houston, Atlanta, the Dodgers, San Diego, Philadelphia, and any other team that might make a run. While the Mets and Yankees have improved in recent years, they haven’t been able to get it done in October.

The Mets have two of the top-four pitchers in the 2023 MLB futures odds for National League Cy Young Award winner at DraftKings.

Here’s the dynamic duo reporting to Mets spring training in Port St. Lucie last week, reprising their days in Detroit when they led the Tigers to the World Series in 2012.

Verlander went 18-4 with a 1.75 ERA last year with Houston. Those are fantastic numbers on their own. But with them coming as the now 40-year-old was coming off Tommy John surgery makes it even more impressive. While his strikeout numbers were down from ridiculous levels in 2018 (290) and 2019 (300), JV still struck-out more than a batter per inning last year with 185 punchouts in 175 innings pitched.

We believe Verlander, however, is probably a better bet than Scherzer to win the award. Scherzer had two stints on the injured list last year and made just 23 starts. He also struggled in his last two outings: a loss in Atlanta and another one in Game 1 of the Wild Card round to San Diego. His 23 starts in 2022 were the fewest as a full-time starter (not counting the Covid-shortened season of 2020).

Of the two Mets, we would back Verlander with similar odds.

At BetMGM, Judge’s closest contender to repeating as home run champion in the 2023 MLB futures is a member of the crosstown Mets.

Judge played an injury-free season for the third time in his career. His home run totals in those three seasons: 52, 39, and 62. He also led the league in RBI (131), walks (111), and OPS (1.111).

For the Mets, Pete Alonso has been remarkably healthy in his first four big-league seasons, slugging 53 homers in 2019 and finishing with an even 40 last year. The right-field fence in Citi Field is being brought in a bit, but five of his 40 home runs last year were to the opposite field. Looking at his home runs from earlier years, however, he did hit many out to right.

Yordan Alvarez could make a run for the crown if he stays healthy. Last year, he improved from 33 home runs in 2021 to 37 last year despite playing in nine fewer games. He still missed 27 contests, so a full season should easily put him over the 40 mark.

Meanwhile, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. dropped from a league-leading 48 long balls in 2021 to 32 last year despite being healthy for both seasons. Kyle Schwarber took advantage of playing in hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia and his a career-high 46 round-trippers.

Finally, Mike Trout had 40 HRs last year in 119 games, but health has been an issue for the Angels star. His last year with more than 140 games played was 2016.

Aside from a Judge repeat, we would favor Alvarez with a full season mashing longballs in Houston’s Minute Maid Park.