Despite a lot of questions about their true MLB odds ability, the New York Yankees enter 2026 with significant injury concerns in the rotation. Gerrit Cole (Tommy John) and Carlos Rodón (bone spur) are both expected to miss the start of the season, with return dates projected for June and May, respectively. Counter to ownership’s stated goal to lower payroll, the Yankees are projected to set a franchise record for luxury tax spending in 2026
The bullpen underwent a major online sportsbook overhaul as high-leverage arms Devin Williams and Luke Weaver both departed to sign with the crosstown New York Mets. David Bednar and Camilo Doval (acquired at the 2025 deadline) are expected to lead the relief corps in 2026. The Yankees’ 2026 offseason has been defined by a run-it-back strategy. Following the loss of Juan Soto to the Mets on a record $765 million contract in December 2024, the Yankees focused on retaining their own free agents, most notably re-signing Cody Bellinger to a five-year, $162.5 million deal.
The Yankees prioritized continuity, re-signing seven players from their 2025 roster while making only one marquee external addition via trade. Key roster moves included Cody Bellinger (LF/CF), who was re-signed for 5 years, $162.5 million. His 2026 luxury tax hit is projected at $48.55 million due to specific contract structuring. Additionally, Paul Goldschmidt (1B) returned on a one-year, $4 million deal to serve as a veteran platoon option. Ryan Weathers (LHP) was acquired from the Miami Marlins for four prospects. He is the club’s primary external rotation addition.
2026 American League Championship SBG Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| New York Yankees | +450 |
| Seattle Mariners | +550 |
| Toronto Blue Jays | +600 |
| Boston Red Sox | +700 |
| Detroit Tigers | +950 |
| Houston Astros | +950 |
| All Other Teams | +1000 or higher |
Internal retentions featured Trent Grisham accepting a $22.025 million qualifying offer. Also, the team re-signed Amed Rosario, Paul Blackburn, Ryan Yarbrough, and Tim Hill to one-year deals. On the whole, all of this impressed gamblers enough to make New York the favorite for the AL pennant.
The Seattle Mariners enter the 2026 season coming off a deep 2025 postseason run that ended one win shy of the World Series. So far, their 2025–26 offseason has been defined by a “win-now” approach, headlined by the long-term retention of Josh Naylor and a major trade for All-Star utilityman Brendan Donovan.
The Toronto Blue Jays’ 2026 offseason was defined by a major overhaul of the pitching staff and the high-profile departure of franchise cornerstone Bo Bichette. Following a 2025 World Series appearance, the front office aggressively addressed its primary weakness—pitching—while attempting to mitigate the loss of offensive star power.
The offseason of the Boston Red Sox has been defined by a significant commitment to rebuilding the starting rotation, highlighted by the $130 million signing of Ranger Suárez. While the pitching staff is now projected to be one of the best in MLB, the team has faced criticism for losing several high-profile offensive targets, including Alex Bregman.
The Detroit Tigers enter the 2026 season with one of the most high-powered starting rotations in Major League Baseball following a landmark offseason. The team is coming off back-to-back postseason appearances and is projected to be a primary contender for the American League Central title. In turn, Detroit made MLB wagering headlines in February 2026 with an aggressive, win-now approach to support its elite pitching core.