MLB MVP Odds 2025: AL & NL Favorites, Predictions

For the second year in a row, Major League Baseball saw two unanimous MVP selections.

New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge secured his second American League MVP award, while Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani earned the National League honor.

This follows the 2023 season, when Ohtani (AL) and Ronald Acuña Jr. (NL) were both unanimous MVPs — the first time that had happened since MVP voting began in 1931.

Will the unanimous streak continue this season? Here’s a look at the latest MLB odds and predictions for the 2025 MVP race:

AL MVP Odds 2025: Favorites

Aaron Judge enters the 2025 season as the betting favorite (+300) to win the AL MVP, marking the second consecutive year he’s opened atop the oddsboard. Last offseason, he started as a +550 favorite and remained a front-runner throughout the race.

In 2024, Judge dominated offensively, leading all of baseball in home runs (58), RBIs (144), on-base percentage (.458), slugging percentage (.701), OPS (1.159), and walks (133). With his second MVP trophy —following his first in 2022— he became the seventh Yankee in history to win multiple MVP awards.

It’s no surprise Judge is the preseason favorite, but Juan Soto’s departure could impact how opposing pitchers approach him. That uncertainty makes it worth considering other candidates further down the board.

Bobby Witt Jr., last year’s AL MVP runner-up, is a strong contender, but his odds don’t offer enough value.

Instead, Julio Rodríguez stands out as a compelling long-shot pick. When the market first opened this offseason, Rodríguez was available at 40/1, a significant discount compared to last year when he was a popular AL MVP bet at 10/1 but fell short of expectations.

Recent MVP winners have typically led the league in WAR, and preseason projections suggest Rodríguez will rank among the AL’s top four in that category.

Given his talent and the likelihood of a more competitive MVP race in 2025, backing Rodríguez at a discount presents an intriguing opportunity.

Prediction: Julio Rodríguez (+4000)

• Note: Pick was made on Jan. 14, odds have since moved to +1800.

NL MVP Odds 2025: Favorites

If Shohei Ohtani can win MVP in a season where he doesn’t pitch, what chance does anyone have once he returns as a two-way force?

That’s the key question after Ohtani’s debut season with the Dodgers shattered expectations — especially for oddsmakers. He opened the year at +900 to win MVP, trailing Mookie Betts and Ronald Acuña Jr., yet still emerged as the clear winner.

Ohtani has made a habit of defying logic. He became the first player ever to join the 50-50 club, launching 54 home runs and stealing 59 bases in 2024, just months after signing his record-breaking 10-year, $700 million contract.

He also became the first full-time designated hitter to win MVP and joined an elite group of players to win the award in both leagues. He’s the first back-to-back MVP winner since Miguel Cabrera (2012-13) and now holds three MVP trophies.

With his return to the mound in 2025, Ohtani is the clear betting favorite (+150) as he’s poised to generate even more WAR as a two-way player. It’s tough to bet against him, but I’m intrigued by the +3500 value on Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll.

Like Julio Rodríguez, Carroll was a trendy preseason MVP pick last year after finishing fifth in the 2023 NL MVP race. However, a slow start derailed his campaign, and he finished with a 3.4 WAR — down from 5.4 the year prior.

Still, Carroll’s speed remains a weapon, with 89 stolen bases over the past two seasons. If he can find his rhythm at the plate early, he has a real shot to re-enter the MVP conversation in 2025.

Prediction: Corbin Carroll (+4000)

2024 NL MVP Voting

List of AL & NL MVP Winners

MLB Players With Most MVP Awards

Barry Bonds has won the most MLB MVP Awards (seven):

• Barry Bonds: 7
• Shohei Ohtani: 3
• Mike Trout: 3
• Albert Pujols: 3
• Alex Rodriguez: 3
• Mike Schmidt: 3
• Mickey Mantle: 3
• Yogi Berra: 3
• Roy Campanella: 3

MLB Teams With Most MVP Awards

The New York Yankees have the most MLB MVP Awards (23):

• Yankees: 24
• Cardinals: 21
• Dodgers: 15
• Giants: 14
• Athletics: 13

Has an MLB Rookie Ever Won MVP?

Fred Lynn and Ichiro Suzuki are only rookies to win MVP.

Lynn did it first, winning AL MVP in 1975 after guiding the Boston Red Sox to 95 regular-season wins and an appearance in the World Series. Ichiro won AL MVP in 2001 as the Seattle Mariners tied the MLB record for most wins in a season (116).