Ronald Acuña Jr. in the National League and Shohei Ohtani in the American League secured their MVP titles unanimously in 2023, creating a landmark moment in baseball history.
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The MLB off-season was filled with significant movements among elite players, adding further excitement to the betting landscape.
Ohtani, coming off his AL MVP win, made a notable move to the Los Angeles Dodgers, while Juan Soto, a perennial NL MVP contender, joined the New York Yankees in a headline-grabbing trade.
The dynamic movements of key players have added an extra layer of intrigue and unpredictability to the 2024 NL MVP race.
With the MLB Odds providing insights into potential front-runners and dark horses, the anticipation for this contest is at an all-time high.
Join us as we delve into the NL MVP odds, assess the top contenders, and predict who might win this closely watched battle.
2024 National League MVP Odds
| Player |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mookie Betts | +500 | +650 | +600 |
| Shohei Ohtani | +500 | +650 | +700 |
| Ronald Acuna Jr. | +550 | +500 | +500 |
| Bryce Harper | +800 | +1000 | +1100 |
| Fernando Tatis Jr. | +900 | +1000 | +850 |
| Freddie Freeman | +1400 | +1500 | +800 |
| Matt Olson | +1400 | +1400 | +1200 |
| Corbin Carroll | +1600 | +1800 | +1500 |
| Austin Riley | +1600 | +2500 | +2200 |
| Trea Turner | +2800 | +2000 | +2200 |
| Pete Alonso | +2800 | +2800 | +2500 |
Ronald Acuna Jr.
The NL MVP race has seen a fascinating shift with Ohtani's move to the Dodgers, creating a team with three MVP-caliber players.
However, reigning MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. remains a top contender after his exceptional 40-70 season, a historic achievement in MLB.
Acuña took full advantage of recent MLB changes to base sizes and pickoff rules, resulting in a remarkable 73 stolen bases last season, a career-high.
Following a slight power dip in 2022 following ACL surgery, he bounced back impressively, achieving career highs in exit velocities.
This resurgence led to 41 home runs despite having his lowest launch angle in his career.
Despite a minor knee injury concern in the preseason, Acuña's stellar 2023 performance with a .337 average, 41 homers, 106 RBIs, and a 1.012 OPS puts him in a strong position for back-to-back MVP titles. However, his injury and current odds at +500 adds a level of uncertainty for bettors.
It's been some time since Miguel Cabrera's consecutive MVP wins in 2012-2013, but Acuña's potential for another exceptional season positions him as a captivating candidate for a repeat.
Despite formidable competition and Ohtani's impressive debut in the NL, Acuña's projected statistics indicate he could surpass his past accomplishments, possibly earning another MVP title and solidifying his place in baseball history with another remarkable season.
The recent MLB updates regarding his offseason injury are encouraging. Acuña managed around 20 at-bats towards the end of spring training, indicating positive progress and a promising start to the season.
Shohei Ohtani
No full-time designated hitter has ever captured an MVP Award in baseball history. Notable contenders who came close include Paul Molitor in 1993, Frank Thomas in 2000, and David Ortiz in 2005.
However, Shohei Ohtani stands as a unique talent who could rewrite this narrative.
If he secures the MVP title, Ohtani would join the elite company of Frank Robinson as the only players to claim this prestigious award in both the National and American Leagues (Robinson achieved this feat in 1961 and 1966).
Last September's revelation that Ohtani would undergo right elbow surgery, sidelining his pitching for the 2024 season, initially cast a shadow over his MVP prospects.
However, this setback carries a silver lining.
With Ohtani now solely focusing on his hitting prowess, unencumbered by the demands of being a two-way player, there's palpable excitement surrounding his offensive capabilities.
This narrowed focus on batting alone could lead to unparalleled results, potentially surpassing the remarkable statistics he amassed in his previous MVP-winning seasons.
"When they were in the dugout yesterday Shohei Ohtani knew that there was gambling involved with Ippei Mizuhara..
At some point yesterday the story changed and the statement was then that it was a theft..
What happened during that time we don't know yet" ~ @JeffPassan #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/jkVS2hU98g
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 21, 2024
A recent gambling-related scandal has emerged this week, possibly causing a dip in Ohtani's MLB betting odds.
This could present an opportunity for those seeking better value than his current odds of +650.
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Corbin Carroll
After an impressive debut in 2022, Carroll continued to meet high expectations in 2023.
Despite already hitting 25 home runs and stealing 54 bases, the 23-year-old's potential for further growth is undeniable. His exceptional skills across multiple aspects of the game suggest room for development.
Notably, history has shown that transitioning from Rookie of the Year to MVP is achievable, as seen with players like Kris Bryant (2016), Dustin Pedroia (2008), and Ryan Howard (2006) in recent decades.
In 2024, if Carroll takes his game to new heights and helps lead the Diamondbacks into playoff contention again, he could secure both prestigious awards in consecutive seasons.
His consistent improvement and impact on the team's success may pave the way for significant accolades in his career progression.
Mookie Betts
Looking at the broader picture, Betts had an impressive season, evident from his statistics. His exceptional Wins Against Replacement (WAR) number of 8.4 speaks volumes about his impact on the field.
However, Betts' season was marked by inconsistency, which could make him a risky MVP choice for bettors.
For example, he started last April with a .235 batting average, which he gradually improved to .277 by July.
From August 11-31, he was on fire, recording at least two hits in 14 of 19 games and batting .521 with seven home runs. This stretch made him a favorite among MVP voters.
But in September, his performance took a downturn as he only batted .241 for the remainder of the season and hit just one home run in 25 games.
In the playoffs, he struggled further, going 0-for-11.
Bryce Harper
Bryce Harper's potential in the NL MVP race might be underestimated due to injuries that hampered him in the last two seasons.
As the 2021 NL MVP, Harper has proven his ability to carry the Philadelphia Phillies.
Despite being limited to 126 games in 2023, Harper still posted impressive numbers with a .293/.401/.499 slash line, 21 home runs, and 72 RBIs.
He hasn’t played in 3 days
He’s been told to do “nothing” today, as his teammates begin to ramp up
He’s hit no spring HR
Opening Day is 10 days away
The Phillies say they’re not worried about Bryce Harper’s back
But here’s why it’s something to watch https://t.co/NAg9I9fSwF
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) March 18, 2024
His OPS+ of 146 was not far from Acuna's 168, especially considering Harper's slow start due to offseason surgery.
While Harper's health remains a concern, being the clear top player on his team could give him a better shot at the MVP award compared to the trio of Dodgers players ahead of him in the odds.
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