A clear 2020 World Series favorite has emerged from MLB’s Winter Meetings. Amid the news that the New York Yankees have agreed to give Gerrit Cole a record-setting nine-year, $324 million contract, the reigning AL East champions are given the best chance to win next year’s Fall Classic.

The Yankees have separated themselves from the rest of the league with +430 World Series odds at FanDuel Sportsbook. The Houston Astros are second with +550 odds after losing their best pitcher to the team they beat in the 2019 American League Championship Series. The Los Angeles Dodgers are the heavy favorites in the National League with +600 title odds.

The Atlanta Braves are fourth with +1100 odds, putting them ahead of the Washington Nationals. The defending champions have +1300 odds to successfully repeat. Washington re-signed World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg, though Anthony Rendon might head elsewhere in free agency.

The Philadelphia Phillies have +1600 World Series odds. Philadelphia has already signed Zack Wheeler and Didi Gregorius this offseason.

The Los Angeles Angels have +5000 World Series odds. They were in strong pursuit of Cole.

In the immediate aftermath of October’s World Series, the Yankees and Astros were named co-favorites.

Houston's Gerrit Cole allowed only one run on three hits over seven innings to silence Washington batters and help the Astros defeat the Nationals 7-1 on Sunday in game five of the World Series
Houston's Gerrit Cole allowed only one run on three hits over seven innings to silence Washington batters and help the Astros defeat the Nationals 7-1 in Game 5 of the World Series. GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Patrick Smith

New York hasn’t been to the World Series since 2009 when they last won a championship. The Yankees came up short against the Astros in both the 2017 and 2019 ALCS. The Yankees have two straight 100-win seasons.

Adding the AL’s best pitcher could help New York get over the hump. Cole finished second in the 2019 AL CY Young voting with a 2.50 ERA and 326 strikeouts in 212.1 innings. The 29-year-old was even better when it mattered most, pitching to a 1.72 ERA in 36.2 playoff innings.

Houston still has 2019 AL Cy Young winner Justin Verlander leading the staff. The Astros won the 2017 World Series without Cole. Houston was defeated in the 2018 ALCS in Cole’s first season with the team.

The World Series odds could see a few more changes in the coming days. Free agents like Rendon, Madison Bumgarner and Hyun-Jin Ryu are still on the market.

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