Who Will Win the American League MVP Award?

The 2024 MLB season is almost here, and it's time to look into some future bets for the season.

One of the most interesting markets heading into this campaign will be for Amercian League MVP. Shohei Ohtani has switched over to the National League, and that opens the door wide open for someone to step in and take the crown.

Let's take a look at the American League MVP odds, per FanDuel Sportsbook.

MLB AL MVP Odds

Aaron Judge (+550)

Aaron Judge is looking for a return to health this season, and if that happens, it's hard to bet against him winning his second AL MVP award.

The New York Yankees' outfielder has done nothing but dominate at the plate over the last two seasons. Judge won the 2022 AL MVP after hitting an AL-record 62 home runs while putting together a .458 weighted on-base average (wOBA) and driving in 131 runs.

Trying to follow that up was never going to be easy. Unfortunately, a toe injury led to Judge missing 76 total games last year. In the 106 games that he played, Judge swatted 37 home runs, drove in 75 RBIs, and a .420 wOBA. The .420 wOBA would have ranked third, and his .346 ISO would have ranked second in the league if he was able to qualify -- citing how great he remains at the plate.

The only players he trailed in those categories were Shohei Ohtani and Ronald Acuna Jr.. Those two players are in the National League, giving Judge the easy edge in his age-32 season as he and the Yankees look to bounce back in 2024.

For Judge, as it has been in previous seasons, it will all come down to health. If he stays healthy, the odds of him taking home a second MVP award look really good with how different the AL is after the offseason.

Juan Soto (+600)

The biggest trade of the offseason saw Juan Soto get dealt to the New York Yankees, and now it's time to see what that looks like. According to the odds, it could very well be an MVP-like campaign if all goes right.

Soto has remained one of baseball's most feared hitters, even after what was a "down" season for the team around him. After the uncertainty that followed in the 2022 season, Soto was able to piece it together in his lone full season with the San Diego Padres and showed why he's among the best in baseball.

Maybe the most impressive part of Soto's season was that he played all 162 games. In those games, the outfielder mashed 35 dingers, recorded 109 RBIs, and swung to the tune of a .395 wOBA. All three of these numbers were major improvements from 2022, and it's all the more interesting to think about what he can do by playing 81 games in Yankee Stadium this year.

While the home runs were a career high, there's an opportunity to hit the 40-home run plateau and potentially set some more career bests along the way. The Padres' lineup that he took part in last season was great, but Soto will have no better protection than he will this year with Aaron Judge likely hitting right behind him as arguably baseball's best hitting duo.

Manager Aaron Boone has stated that Soto is likely to hit second with Judge in third. That's going to be dangerous, and it's a big reason that these two share the top two spots for the AL MVP heading into the year.

If all goes right for Soto and he can thrive with his new team, the sky is the limit for what he can deliver in 2024.

Corey Seager (+850)

A World Series MVP is one thing, but an AL MVP is another. Well, Corey Seager has a new goal if he wants to chase one after coming so close a year ago.

The Texas Rangers are coming off winning a World Series victory, and so much of that was on the back of Seager. Not only did he have a great playoff run, but his regular season performance brought him to a second-place finish in the AL MVP voting, losing the award to Shohei Ohtani.

What made Seager's 2023 campaign so special was that he just played 119 games but was at the top of the league in nearly every important offensive category. The shortstop finished with the league lead in doubles (42) and finished in the top three in ISO (.296), SLG (.623), wOBA (.419), and wRC+ (169).

To imagine the shortstop over an entire season is why there's so much intrigue in this bet. Seager has been a top hitter in baseball since joining the Rangers, and that won't be changing as long as he's healthy.

If a longshot outside of the top two is worth considering, it's the player who finished in second just a season ago.

Yordan Alvarez (+950)

One of baseball's best pure hitters should always have a shot at taking home the MVP.

Yordan Alvarez has been a force for the Houston Astros, and that won't be changing. It was just two seasons ago when he finished in third place for the AL MVP, but he took a step back last year, and that was in part due to injury.

Through 114 games, the slugger logged 31 home runs, 97 RBIs, a .990 OPS, a .415 wOBA, and a 170 wRC+. No matter what the category is, Alvarez delivered when healthy, and that is what could get him an MVP. However, it's harder for him, as he's mostly a designated hitter, having played only 96 games in the field over the last two seasons combined.

Alvarez's success will have to come with what would be his best season yet. Heading into his age-27 season, there's a real chance that will happen. His prime years are coming, and the Astros' star should shine.

Julio Rodriguez (+1200)

Julio Rodriguez struggled in the first half of last season and then turned it on in a major way to finish fourth place in AL MVP voting.

The Seattle Mariners are led by Rodriguez, and he's only going to improve. The 2024 season will be his third in the league, and he'll be just 23 years old. It's why the +1200 odds are so interesting when looking at this market.

Rodriguez got better in multiple categories in 2023, hitting 32 home runs compared to 28 and knocking in 108 runs after having 75 RBIs. He's arguably the only five-tool player on this list -- giving him the tools to check multiple boxes that others cannot.

Along with the homers and RBIs, Rodriguez added 37 stolen bases, a .347 wOBA, and a 126 wRC+.

The scariest part is there are still improvements to be made when it comes to the Mariners' outfielder. He actually had a better wOBA in his rookie campaign as well as a stronger batting average. The new season is going to be a potential massive breakout for a player who has already done it. How can that be anything but exciting?

Youth, growth, and potential are on Rodriguez's side. These +1200 odds entering the season may be too good to pass up.

Looking for more MLB betting opportunities? Check out all of the MLB odds at FanDuel Sportsbook.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.