I have been preaching the Mariners as a bet for a couple of months now.  I was able to grab them at +2800 for a $50 bet already, and this was my 2nd bet to the $100 I plunked down on the Nationals at +1200.

Jerry DiPoto has been wheeling and dealing to the tune of 11 trades already this offseason. 

With the exception of the Outfield not possessing not much power (but a ton of speed that could round out the bottom of the order with SB), and the First Base position being manned by unproven commodities, the rest of the roster is pretty solid.

We noted that the Mariners threesome of Kyle Seager, Robinson Cano and Jean Segura combined for 99 HRs and then the prime DH Nelson Cruz clubbed 43 Bolts.  These guys will make up enough power to compensate for that.

While I still feel they should upgrade at 1B or another OF (Guys such as Mark Trumbo, Chris Carter or Mike Napoli) this team should have enough offense to compete in the American League.

With acquiring Yovani Gallardo and Drew Smyly in the last week, the club has added depth = and have the best 1 – 5 rotation in the AL West now.

I believe that James Paxton may also see a breakout season similar to what Danny Duffy did for the Kansas City Royals in 2916.  The LHP can reach 98 – 99 MPH on his fastball, and he has great movement.

The Relief Core has also been added to with great numbers.  Seattle’s brass has definitely robbed the Minor League System, yet this is the window of winning.

Houston deserves to be slightly favored in the AL West with the rosters as currently constructed – however if the Mariners pick up another big bat then I would give the nod to them as the Division favorite.

J

Then there is the Detroit Tigers.  Despite early winter rumors that the club was going to trade assets in salary dumps, the team is relatively the same coming back from – say for Cameron Maybin who was dealt.

I love Jordan Zimmermann to have a bounce back campaign – and assume the #2 Starters role with the squad.  Factor in Michael Fullmer, Matt Boyd and Daniel Norris, and this team may be able to compete with that offense.

When you look at the odd of 35/1 compared to the Indians 7/1, the AL Central odd would never be Tigers +500 and the Tribe at +100 to win it.

Detroit has Miguel Cabrera and J.D. Martinez who may be involved in the MVP race this coming year, and Ian Kinsler and Victor Martinez are great professional hitters. 

Nick Castellanos was also good in 2016 before an injury derailed his campaign.

As a team that finished 86 – 75 in 2016 – it is not that far fetched to think this club could repeat that – or even add some more victories to the fold in 2017.

Detroit could still nail down a Wild Card Game and use Justin Velander to advance to the ALDS Round.

The value is good here at the odd they are at.  This will be my 3rd wager of the year – where I am laying down $30 to win $1050 on the Motown Boys.

Again.. a lot of the best ways to make money on MLB Futures is taking advantage of an odd at the right time.  A few injuries here or there to the Indians, and look the hell out.

The AL Central also is not as tough this upcoming year with the White Sox and Twins – plus the Royals potentially taking a step back.

Odds To Win the 2017 World Series

Blue color means best value favorite with odd in parenthesis

Maroon color means worst value with odd in parenthesis

Chicago Cubs +350 (5)

Boston Red Sox +475 (4)

Cleveland Indians +700 (4)

LA Dodgers +1000 (3)

Washington Nationals +1100 (3)

Houston Astros +1400

SF Giants +1600

Toronto Blue Jays +1600

NY Mets +1800

NY Yankees +1800 (1)

Texas Rangers  +2000 (2)

St. Louis Cardinals +2000 (5)

Seattle Mariners +2500 (1)

KC Royals +3500

Baltimore Orioles +3500

Detroit Tigers +3500 (2)

Colorado Rockies +4000

Pittsburgh Pirates +4500

Miami Marlins +5000

LA Angels +6600

TB Rays +8000

Arizona D’Backs +8000

Chicago White Sox +10000

Philadelphia Phillies +10000

Atlanta Braves +10000

Oakland A’s +10000

Minnesota Twins +17500

Milwaukee Brewers +20000

SD Padres +20000

Cincinnati Reds +22500

ODDS COURTESY OF bet365

By Hunter Stokes (Chief Writer/Part Owner) 

Follow @stokes_Hunter21 @mlbreports

*** The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of mlbreports.com and their partners***

A big thanks goes out to our ‘Chief Writer/Part Owner’ Hunter Stokes for preparing today’s featured post.

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