MLB Rumors: Yankees Favored To Sign Gerrit Cole, Rangers, Dodgers Are Top Anthony Rendon Contenders

Gerrit Cole Houston Astros — Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros pitches in the eighth inning of Game 2 of the ALDS against the Tampa Bay Rays at Minute Maid Park on October 05, 2019 in Houston, Texas. Tim Warner/Getty Images

The MLB free agency odds have changed significantly since the end of the 2019 World Series. With the Winter Meetings underway, there are new betting favorites to sign Gerrit Cole and Anthony Rendon.

When the offseason began, the Los Angeles Angels were pegged as the frontrunners in the Gerrit Cole Sweepstakes. Following reports that general manager Brian Cashman would make Cole an official offer Monday, the New York Yankees are now given the best chance to land the star pitcher.

BetOnline gives the Yankees even odds to sign Cole. The Angels are second with 3/1 odds. The Los Angeles Dodgers are third at 4/1.

There had been rumors that Cole preferred to return to his native California. It’s uncertain if that is the case with the Yankees likely prepared to make him the highest-paid pitcher of all time.

Cashman has landed in San Diego and is expected to make an offer to Cole today. With @JeffPassan saying Strasburg got 7/245 from Nats, have to believe Cole gets 8 years. Yanks saying they will make “very, very competitive offer.”
— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) December 9, 2019

Hear there’s a mystery team on Cole. Hard to imagine anyone thinks they are coming in late and outbidding the Yankees and 2 LA teams (even if one’s in Anaheim). No idea the identity of said team, but that’s why it’s a mystery.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 10, 2019

It’s largely been considered a three-team race for Cole. MLB Network’s Jon Heyman reported that a “mystery team” could be in the bidding. Perhaps it’s the Philadelphia Phillies (6/1) or Texas Rangers (8/1).

The Houston Astros have 9/1 odds to re-sign Cole. The right-hander went 35-10 with a 2.68 ERA and 602 strikeouts in 412.2 innings with Houston from 2018-2019.

Texas has leapfrogged the Washington Nationals as the favorites to sign Rendon. The defending champs were given 3/2 odds to keep Rendon at the start of the offseason. Those odds have dropped to 5/2 in the wake of the team giving Stephen Strasburg a seven-year, $245 million contract.

The Rangers lead the way with 5/4 odds. Texas is set to open a new ballpark in 2020 after three straight losing seasons.

The Dodgers have 7/4 odds to sign Rendon. Los Angeles has been a suitor for all three star free agents, following another disappointing playoff exit.

Philadelphia has 5/1 odds to sign Rendon. The Phillies have already made a splash by giving Zack Wheeler $118 million over five years.

Major league baseball