Looking for a long-shot bet? How about Cubs World Series odds?

Despite the recent news of MLB Network cutting ties with Ken Rosenthal, the baseball world has been relatively quiet with the lockdown in full effect. This allows us to evaluate where the Chicago Cubs are really at in comparison to the rest of not only their division, but the league. As of November 3, the team’s World Series odds sat at +10000, the fifth-worst in all of baseball.

It’s always interesting to look at World Series odds and how they shift after offseason moves. This lockout gives us the opportunity to evaluate and look for value. After the Cubs made the initial signings of Wade Miley, Marcus Stroman and Yan Gomes, their odds moved up to +8000, still the fifth-worst in baseball, tied with the Rockies.

Not only are these odds the fifth-worst in baseball, but they sit at fourth in their own division, well behind the Brewers (+1600), Cardinals (+2500) and Reds (+4000) in that order.

The value on the Cubs at +8000 is worth taking a bite of. The Cubs currently have the 18th-highest payroll in baseball, behind the Brewers and in front of the Nationals. According to Forbes, the Cubs are the fourth most valuable team in MLB behind the Yankees, Dodgers and Red Sox, respectively.

Not only that, the Cubs have the most expensive game day experience in baseball at an average of $109.78 per person.

Chicago Cubs will improve their World Series odds before the season starts

Sure, these numbers aren’t about the play on the field but they’re to show the amount of money the Cubs are sitting on. The front office has so much flexibility to add to this roster. Along with that, this lockout gives us a chance to take a pause, see what kind of deals have been signed and further evaluate good prices and fits for the remaining free agents.

Once this lockout ends and the Cubs continue to fill out their roster, their odds won’t be at +8000. With linkings to Carlos Correa, there’s reason to believe this front office will make at least one big splash before it’s all said and done and not to mention other little moves to fill out the rotation, bullpen and bench.

Even after the Cubs sold off all their stars at the 2021 trade deadline, they still managed to post a team OPS (.743-14th), average (.248-15th), on-base-percentage (.320-15th) and slugging percentage (.423-13th) in the top half of baseball. This was done without a healthy Nico Hoerner and Nick Madrigal who are already on the roster along with new bats coming in the new season.

Nothing is certain, but with money to spend and enough interest from free agents, it’s worth taking the chance that this Cubs team gets better before it’s all said and done. At the least I see the odds getting closer to the Reds at +4000 with a few more signings and maybe even lower. It’s worth taking a chance and sprinkling some on this number while it’s at +8000.