Albert Pujols and the St. Louis Cardinals are the World Series champions, but what team will the slugging first baseman be playing for next season?
That's the subject of a prop bet at Sportsbook as baseball enters its postseason. Pujols is set to be a free agent, and the Cardinals are just the second-favorite at 2/1 odds to retain his services.
The frontrunner? According to the oddsmakers at Sportsbook it's the Chicago Cubs, who might be looking to make a splash at the outset of Theo Epstein's new regime. The Cubs are at 7/4 odds to sign Pujols and take him away from their division rival.
The Los Angeles Angels are next at 9/2, followed by the Washington Nationals at 7/1. Looking for one of the marquee clubs to sign Pujols and shift someone else in their lineup? The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox are both at 12/1 odds for the wager.
Here's how the Albert Pujols MLB prop bet breaks down at Sportsbook:
Who will sign Albert Pujols to his next contract?
Chicago Cubs 7/4
St. Louis Cardinals 2/1
Los Angeles Angels 9/2
Washington Nationals 7/1
New York Yankees 12/1
Boston Red Sox 12/1
Los Angeles Dodgers 12/1
San Francisco Giants 12/1
Texas Rangers 15/1
Toronto Blue Jays 30/1
The Cardinals aren't the favorite on the current World Series odds board at Sportsbook either, as they sit behind four other teams at 14/1 on that list. St. Louis will be looking for a new manager this offseason as Tony La Russa retired on Monday after 16 years in charge of the club.
The Philadelphia Phillies lead the way at 4/1 odds to make up for a disappointing 2011 season and win the World Series in 2012, with the Yankees at 13/2 and the Red Sox at 8/1. The Texas Rangers have lost two straight World Series; they're at 12/1 to finally get the job done next season.
Here's how the World Series odds board shapes up for 2012:
Odds to Win the 2012 World Series at Sportsbook
Philadelphia Phillies 4/1
New York Yankees 13/2
Boston Red Sox 8/1
Texas Rangers 12/1
Detroit Tigers 14/1
St. Louis Cardinals 14/1
San Francisco Giants 16/1
Tampa Bay Rays 18/1
Atlanta Braves 18/1
Arizona Diamondbacks 20/1
Milwaukee Brewers 22/1
Chicago Cubs 25/1
Cincinnati Reds 25/1
Colorado Rockies 25/1
Los Angeles Angels 25/1
Los Angeles Dodgers 30/1
Florida Marlins 30/1
Chicago White Sox 30/1
Washington Nationals 30/1
Oakland Athletics 35/1
Toronto Blue Jays 35/1
Minnesota Twins 35/1
New York Mets 35/1
Cleveland Indians 50/1
Seattle Mariners 60/1
Pittsburgh Pirates 60/1
San Diego Padres 75/1
Baltimore Orioles 75/1
Kansas City Royals 75/1
Houston Astros 100/1
