Blue Jays’ World Series Odds as Short as +2200 After Springer Signing
- The odds of the Toronto Blue Jays winning the 2021 World Series shortened to +2200 from +2667
- Toronto signed free agent outfielder George Springer to a six-year, $150 million contract
- The Jays also added closer Kirby Yates, the 2019 NL saves leader
Wednesday’s announcement that the Toronto Blue Jays were signing free agent outfielder George Springer has people in Toronto talking World Series. Such talk doesn’t seem unreasonable, to be honest.
Agreeing with Springer on the richest contract in Blue Jays history – six years and $150 million – and making arguably the most significant addition of the MLB offseason, Toronto management put the rest of the baseball world on notice that Canada’s team isn’t playing around.
The oddsmakers also took notice. The move led to the 2021 World Series odds on the Blue Jays, which were at an average of 2667 last week, improve to +2200 at some books.
2021 World Series Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles Dodgers | +450 |
| New York Yankees | +550 |
| San Diego Padres | +800 |
| Chicago White Sox | +900 |
| Atlanta Braves | +1100 |
| New York Mets | +1200 |
| Tampa Bay Rays | +1400 |
| Minnesota Twins | +1400 |
| Houston Astros | +1700 |
| Oakland Athletics | +1700 |
| Cincinnati Reds | +2000 |
| Toronto Blue Jays | +2200 |
| Cleveland Indians | +2800 |
| Chicago Cubs | +3000 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | 3300 |
Odds as of Jan. 20th at Bet365.
Even with the improvement in their betting line, the Jays’ odds equate to 4.35% implied probability that they’ll win the World Series. Toronto remains the 12th-overall betting choice and seventh among American League teams.
The Springer Show
In Springer, the Blue Jays are adding an elite defensive centerfielder. He’s also a hitter with pop in his bat and an established reputation for delivering in the clutch.
Springer has delivered an OPS+ of 140 or higher in three of the last four seasons. He shows a 138 wRC+ since 2017. In 2019, Springer’s 6.4 WAR was among the top 10 in the American League
#BlueJays George Springer has an MLB-high 136 HR when batting 1st since the start of 2015. pic.twitter.com/JbQuJtr36w
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) January 20, 2021
Those numbers put him in the same ballpark alongside such stars as Bryce Harper and Mookie Betts. Springer is a three-time all-star and was World Series MVP in 2017.
It’s in the postseason when Springer truly shines. His 19 homers and 2.4 WPA are both sixth all-time in MLB history. Springer’s playoff OPS of .895 is higher than his regular-season number of .852.
Blue Jays Miss Out On Brantley
Toronto hoped to add Springer’s friend outfielder Michael Brantley, but there were reports Wednesday afternoon that he’s agreed to a two-year deal to remain in Houston.
Nonetheless, putting Springer into a batting order that includes budding young talent such as Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, Lourdes Gurriel Jr, and Cavan Biggio provides the Jays with a deep lineup.
Toronto's signing of George Springer would seemingly take the Blue Jays out of the market for Trevor Bauer, but I'm told that might not necessarily be true. If Toronto gets Bauer to lead its rotation, the Jays would be a tough team for the AL to deal with in 2021.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) January 20, 2021
Toronto also signed closer Kirby Yates. With San Diego in 2019, Yates led the NL with 41 saves and posted a 1.19 ERA. Word is Toronto is still looking to add a starting pitcher.
Entering The Wayback Machine
The Blue Jays winning the World Series? It would just add another chapter to the wayback machine that’s been unfolding across the sporting landscape over the past year.
The Los Angeles Dodgers won their first World Series since 1988. Over to the NFL, the Cleveland Browns won their first playoff game since 1994-95 and the Buffalo Bills are in the AFC Championship Game for the first time since 1993-94.
George Springer just made 2021 feel like 1991 for so many fans of Toronto Blue Jays baseball. Amidst the chaos of political hypocrisy and civic turmoil, this signing couldn’t have come at a better time.
— Ari Shapiro (@ari_shapiro) January 20, 2021
The Jays won back-to-back World Series in 1992-93. Looking at the AL East, the starting rotation of the New York Yankees is Gerrit Cole, injury-idled Corey Kluber and three pitchers to be named later. The small-market Tampa Bay Rays are always in a state of flux.
The Jays could win this division. At the very least, they should be a Wild Card team. Word is they’re still looking to add pitching.
Sure, they’re a longshot to win the World Series. At that price, with their untapped potential, it’s worth a small wager.
Pick: Toronto Blue Jays (+2200)
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
