Top MLB Futures Bets to Make Post-Trade Deadline: Don't Let Soto Overshadow Padres' MVP Contender

Mike Spector

Last Updated: September 9, 2022 5:53 PM EDT • 2 min 43 sec read. Twitter link Google News Link

Manny Machado of the San Diego Padres celebrates as we look at the top Dominican Republic vs. Venezuela picks — Manny Machado of the San Diego Padres celebrates after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins at Petco Park on July 29, 2022 in San Diego, California. Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images via AFP.

Now that the MLB trade deadline has passed, the futures odds markets look drastically different than they did on Tuesday morning. We have highlighted the best futures bets to make now that the dealing is done.

No team made a bigger splash at the trade deadline than the San Diego Padres, who followed up a deal for arguably the best reliever in the game (Josh Hader) with a trade for the sport's best young talent, Juan Soto. As a result of their moves, San Diego's odds of winning the World Series plummetted.

Should bettors follow suit of the organization and go all-in on the Padres to win a World Series title?

Here are my top MLB futures bets to make following the trade deadline (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook, BetMGM, and FanDuel Sportsbook).

Top MLB Futures Bets

Post-Trade Deadline MLB Futures Picks

Mets to win World Series (+650)

The New York media will likely lambaste Mets owner Steve Cohen over the next several days for not being as aggressive as the team's top World Series competitors at the deadline. However, the Mets should not be forgotten just because they did not pull the trigger on many big-name acquisitions at the deadline. Their biggest splashes (Max Scherzer, Starling Marte, Mark Canha) came in the offseason.

New York's low-key recent additions like Daniel Vogelbach and Darin Ruf are a tremendous upgrade at DH, as the two can platoon against lefties and righties.

However, the most significant "addition" to the Mets is co-ace Jacob deGrom, who is back after over a year away from the game due to injury. DeGrom looked like his vintage self after allowing just one run over five innings in his debut against Washington. He and Scherzer give the Mets a 1-2 punch unmatched by any team in the majors and will make it difficult to beat them in a seven-game playoff series.

https://twitter.com/PitchingNinja/status/1554610065755316225

New York's 3-4-5 starters of Chris Bassitt, Taijuan Walker, and Carlos Carrasco are not too shabby either, as they are largely responsible for the team having the fifth-best ERA in the majors. The Mets have the pitching to beat anyone in the postseason.

White Sox to win AL Central (+200)

Just three games separated the Minnesota Twins, Cleveland Guardians, and Chicago White Sox atop the AL Central when the trade deadline ended. Still, all anyone is talking about is Minnesota after adding Tyler Mahle, Jorge Lopez, and Michael Fulmer.

The Twins' additions made them a better team. However, the White Sox have the talent and the schedule necessary to track down the Twins over the next two months.

Chicago plays its next 12 games against teams with a losing record, then has a stretch from August 22 to September 18 where it plays just six games against winning teams. The White Sox also have nine games remaining against the Twins (six at home), and at some point, they will have positive regression after going six games under .500 at home thus far.

Machado to win NL MVP (+2500)

https://www.youtube.com/embed/nLllPcB44WY

Padres third baseman Manny Machado's already fantastic offensive numbers should explode with the newfound protection that Soto and Josh Bell will provide him.

Soto will be on base a ton in front of Machado, as he has the fourth-highest wOBA (.413) over the last five seasons. In addition, Bell's .301 batting average, 14 home runs, 57 RBI, and .877 OPS are a massive upgrade for a Padres team that ranked 19th in OPS, 26th in home runs, 16th in RBI, and 17th in extra-base hits by their first basemen before the trade deadline. Even Brandon Drury provides added protection further down the lineup, as he already has career-bests in home runs, OBP, slugging, OPS, and OPS+ this season.

St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt is leading the NL MVP race by a wide margin. Still, suppose San Diego takes the league by storm and goes on a tear with its new acquisitions. In that case, Machado will not only be a big beneficiary but will likely be given more respect for what he did this entire time without a healthy Fernando Tatis Jr. in the lineup.

Where to Bet on MLB Futures

Here are our top-rated sportsbooks:

FanDuel Sportsbook Caesars Sportsbook DraftKings Sportsbook PointsBet BetMGM

SEE ALSO: All picks, odds, and sports betting news. Be sure to check out SportsbookReview.com’s community forums and betting tools.

MLB futures picks made 8/2/2022 at 9:35 p.m. ET.

Written By:
Mike Spector

I have been in the sports writing industry for over three years, working for sites like BettingPros/FantasyPros, Oddschecker, and Sportsbook Review. In my first year writing for BettingPros, I finished with the #2 overall record in their annual NFL betting competition, which made picks against the spread, and from an over/under and moneyline perspective. I am an avid fan of the NFL, MLB, and all college sports. In my opinion, March Madness is the best sporting event there is, and I am especially euphoric starting with conference tournament time in college basketball. I am a big advocate of "fading the public" and making plays that are contrarian, constantly citing that "there are reasons why they have those big shiny buildings in Las Vegas." Follow me on Twitter for my best bets and commentary to go along with the wagers.