Chicago Cubs: Early betting favorites to win 2016 World Series

Vegas likes the Cubs for 2016 World Series

As if this season didn’t do enough to raise the spirits of Chicago Cubs‘ fans around the globe, Bovada released its odds for next year’s World Series–and the Cubs are sitting at the top of that list. Being swept out in the NLCS did nothing to dampen the spirits of the Las Vegas bettors, as the Cubs are at the top with 10 to 1 odds, just ahead of six other teams at 12 to 1 including both of this year’s World Series participant in the Mets and Royals.

What does it mean? Well, not a whole lot right now. But it does mean you aren’t going to get as rich as you would have in the past by betting on the Cubs to win it all. If you’ve got some money down and want the big odds for the big money? The Phillies at 200 to 1 are going to be your pick. It’s Vegas, they have their own agenda, but the reality of these odds might not be that far off.

The Cubs made it to the NLCS–by most accounts a year ahead of schedule–and did it with a very young team. Kris Bryant, Addison Russell and Kyle Schwarber made their presence felt, while newly signed Jon Lester and breakout star Jake Arrieta led the pitching staff. It’s not just about believing this team can reproduce the results from this season, but realizing the team is poised to make some addition in the offseason. Yes, this team is only going to bet better.

The Cubs have a handful of players that filed for free agency today, and while several of the names were key players down the stretch they didn’t figure to be long-term solutions for the Cubs. A few could still return, as Dexter Fowler is one that many wait to see what the team does–but there are plenty of other intriguing names on the market that the Cubs have been or will be linked to in the coming months. 

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Several big name pitchers are on the market, and it seems the Cubs are tied to just about all of them. David Price seems to top the list, but Jordan Zimmerman, Hisashi Iwakuma and Johnny Cueto are possibilities as well. The Cubs could also look to trade some of the talent from the minors for a younger, team-controlled option as opposed to spending big money on a pitcher for the second-straight winter.

Whether it be free agency, trade or other–the Cubs will be a key player in the offseason and will in all likelihood earn that early season favorite as a World Series contender. Starting as a favorite isn’t what the Cubs are after, but it’s a fun little talking point until we get to Spring Training.