2020 American League MVP opening odds: Trout sets sights on AL record
Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.
Los Angeles Angels superstar Mike Trout is the runaway favorite to claim a record fourth American League MVP Award in 2020.
Trout is one of just six players to claim the honor three times, and the only one to manage the feat before the age of 30.
| Year | Winner | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Mike Trout | Los Angeles Angels |
| 2018 | Mookie Betts | Boston Red Sox |
| 2017 | Jose Altuve | Houston Astros |
| 2016 | Mike Trout | Los Angeles Angels |
| 2015 | Josh Donaldson | Toronto Blue Jays |
| 2014 | Mike Trout | Los Angeles Angels |
| 2013 | Miguel Cabrera | Detroit Tigers |
| 2012 | Miguel Cabrera | Detroit Tigers |
| 2011 | Justin Verlander | Detroit Tigers |
| 2010 | Josh Hamilton | Texas Rangers |
The 28-year-old has been crowned AL MVP three times in the last six seasons, and oddsmakers are picking him to win the award again this campaign. Barry Bonds is the only other player in MLB history to be named the MVP more than three times, doing so on seven occasions during his illustrious career, all in the National League.
Trout is a strong favorite over the rest of the field at -110 to defend his crown and make history in 2020.
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Mike Trout | -110 |
| Aaron Judge | +1000 |
| Gleyber Torres | +1000 |
| Shohei Ohtani | +1400 |
| Alex Bregman | +1600 |
| Francisco Lindor | +1600 |
| Anthony Rendon | +2500 |
| Matt Chapman | +2500 |
| Rafael Devers | +2500 |
| Gerrit Cole | +3000 |
| Giancarlo Stanton | +3000 |
| Marcus Semien | +3000 |
| Jose Altuve | +4000 |
| Matt Olson | +4000 |
| Austin Meadows | +5000 |
| Eloy Jimenez | +5000 |
| Gary Sanchez | +5000 |
| Jose Ramirez | +5000 |
| Vladimir Guerrero Jr. | +5000 |
| Xander Bogaerts | +5000 |
| Yoan Moncada | +5000 |
Only displaying players with odds 50-1 or shorter
Oddsmakers consider New York Yankees duo Aaron Judge and Gleyber Torres to be Trout's closest competitors at 10-1.
Judge is a risk given his injury history after playing 112-plus games in a season just once in his career. Torres, meanwhile, is on an impressive trajectory heading into his third MLB campaign, and he's set to be the team’s primary shortstop following the departure of Didi Gregorius.
The plethora of talent on the team is the main hindrance for Yankees players in their quest to be named MVP. It'll take a monumental stat line for an individual to stand out on a roster that includes Judge, Torres, Gerrit Cole (30-1), Giancarlo Stanton (30-1), and Gary Sanchez (50-1).
Trout’s teammate Shohei Ohtani is just behind the Yankees' sluggers at 14-1. The 25-year-old gets a leg up on the field due to his contributions as both a hitter and pitcher. Ohtani hit 18 home runs with 62 RBIs and 12 stolen bases in 106 games last season, and he's expected to return to the mound in May after recovering from Tommy John surgery in October 2018.
Infielders Alex Bregman and Francisco Lindor (both 16-1) are the only other players shorter than 25-1, where a logjam begins. Anthony Rendon is the third Angels player on the list, level with 2019 Oakland Athletics breakout performer Matt Chapman and 23-year-old Rafael Devers, who will be tasked with leading the Boston Red Sox this season following the trade of Mookie Betts.
Cole, the new Yankees ace, highlights the 30-1 group, though only one pitcher has won the award in the last 27 years.
At 40-1 you can find 2017 AL MVP Jose Altuve, while popular breakout picks Eloy Jimenez, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Yoan Moncada join bounce-back candidate Jose Ramirez, among others, at 50-1.
Alex Moretto is a sports betting writer for theScore. A journalism graduate from Guelph-Humber University, he has worked in sports media for over a decade. He will bet on anything from the Super Bowl to amateur soccer, is too impatient for futures, and will never trust a kicker. Find him on Twitter @alexjmoretto.