Early American League MVP Darkhorse

The MLB season is still extremely fresh and there is a long way to go before we start to see percentages play out and teams pull away from the pack. That being said, some players have gotten off to hot starts and are offering great return on investment if they can continue to produce. The MVP voting often takes into account the best player stats but also the success of the team they play for. In the past six years, 9 of the 12 MVPs have come from teams that finish with a winning record. Only Mike Trout (twice) and Giancarlo Stanton have won MVPs with losing teams. 

The Los Angeles Dodgers are already red hot in the National League and will likely produce a MVP at the end of the season. The American League is a bit more up for grabs and the Red Sox have impressed by starting with the best record in the AL and 2nd most wins on the Majors through the first few weeks.  Rafael Devers and Xander Bogaerts are the young guns for Boston, but don’t forget about JD Martinez who has six homers already and is leading MLB in in RBI’s. With +4000 odds to win AL MVP he would provide a great return on even a small wager and it is not too farfetched. 

The Red Sox were picked to finish behind the Yankees, Blue Jays, and Rays in the AL East by most people, but that is why they play the games. Boston has the talent to win their division and JD Martinez would be a major contributor if they do so. He has hit over .300 in each of his last seven season besides last year’s shortened season. Martinez also drove in the 130 and 105 runs in the two years prior to Covid. He is 33 years old but is showing no ill effects, and let’s not forget Freddie Freeman won MVP last season at 31 years old. With a 40/1 current return on investment, he is off to a great start this season and his odds will climb if the Red Sox can stay hot.