The MLB season is currently set to be delayed due to a lockout between the players and owners over a number of disputes.
No Agreement in Place
The collective bargaining agreement set in stone in 2016 between the players and owners expired on the 1st December last year and since then there has been no agreement between the two over a new CBA.
As a result there has been no baseball operations taking place at the 30 major league teams. It is the first work stoppage since the 1994-95 strike and the first lockout of the players since 1990.
The disagreement could end up impacting on the regular season if it carries on for much longer but both parties seem willing to prevent that happening.
Worth Looking ahead
While there may be no baseball activities taking place at this moment in time, there will be a 2022 season and it’s worth looking forward to how that might shape up.
Before the lockout, a number of high-profile free agent signings took place, with among the biggest spenders being the New York Mets.
The Mets signed Starling Marte, Mark Canha, Eduardo Escobar and Max Scherzer after a disappointing season last year that saw them go from first place at the All Star break to finishing 77-85.
After their spending spree the Mets are as short as 10/1 to win the World Series but will have to contend with their divisional rivals and reigning champions, the Atlanta Braves.
Reigning Champions Not Among Favourites
The Braves, who beat the Los Angeles Dodgers in last year’s World Series are 14/1 to retain their crown. They would be the first team since the New York Yankees in 2000 to win back-to-back titles, which is perhaps why there are seven teams shorter than them in the betting.
Star outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr should return for the side this season but talisman Freddie Freeman is a free agent and may explore options elsewhere.
Weakened West May Open Up for Angels
The Los Angeles Angels have had the best baseball player of this generation, Mike Trout, on their books his entire career and have never come close to making a World Series.
However, they added another superstar in the shape of two-way player Shohei Ohtani and have improved their pitching staff with the signing of potential ace Noah Syndergaard.
More importantly, their rivals in the AL West look weaker this year. The Oakland Athletics are on the verge of a major rebuild after contending for the last few years, while the AL West champ Houston Astros look set to lose key man Carlos Correa to free agency.
The Texas Rangers have made a big splash signing Marcus Semien and Corey Seager but their pitching still looks light.
At 30/1 the Angels could prove to be under the radar shots given the talent already at their disposal.
*All odds correct at time of writing