There has been a general consensus regarding the best player in baseball for several years. However, that doesn’t make betting on the American League or National League MVP for the 2021 MLB season any easier.

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout is the sport’s top superstar. The 29-year-old has never finished worse than fifth in MVP voting during his nine full seasons. It’s why Trout is the overwhelming betting favorite at FanDuel Sportsbook with +220 odds to win the AL MVP award.

But Trout is no sure thing to earn the honor in 2021. Far from it. Trout has been the AL MVP just once in the last four seasons after winning the award in the 2019 season. Trout finished fifth in the 2020 race and he was the MVP runner-up in 2018 for the fourth time in his career.

New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge is Trout's biggest threat with +1200 AL MVP odds, according to FanDuel. Judge finished second in the 2017 MVP race, though injuries have prevented him from putting up another MVP-caliber season.

The second tier of AL MVP contenders is filled with third basemen. Houston Astros' hot corner Alex Bregman (+1500), Cleveland Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez (+1500), Matt Chapman (+1800) of the Oakland Athletics and Trout’s teammate Anthony Rendon (+1800) could all be MVP candidates this season.

Bregman was the runner-up to Trout two years ago. Ramirez has been a top-three finisher three times in the last four seasons.

Nine players have better odds than reigning AL MVP Jose Abreu (+2500). Prior to leading the league with 60 RBI and a .617 slugging percentage in last year’s 60-game season, the Chicago White Sox first baseman had gone five straight years without finishing better than 14th in the MVP voting.

The NL MVP race is more wide open. Reigning NL MVP and Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman (+1500) is tied for the seventh-best odds to repeat as the winner. No one has better than +700 odds and nearly a dozen players have +1500 odds or better in the NL.

San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatist Jr. (+700) and Washington Nationals outfielder Juan Soto (+700) are the co-favorites to win the NL MVP award. Tatis has yet to play a full MLB season, though the shortstop was fourth in the 2020 race and has earned a $340 million contract. Soto had the league’s highest batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage last year.

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (+750) and Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts (+750) are barely behind the favorites. Betts was the 2018 AL MVP and finished second in the 2020 NL MVP race.

The Dodgers, who are the favorites to repeat their World Series title, have three 2021 NL MVP contenders with 2019 MVP Cody Bellinger (+1200) and 2020 World Series MVP Corey Seager (+1500) in the lineup.

The New York Mets expect big things from Francisco Lindor (+1200), who just signed a $341 million contract before ever playing a regular-season game with his new club.

The Milwaukee Brewers expect a bounce-back year from Christian Yelich (+1500). After winning the 2018 NL MVP award and finishing second in the 2019 race, Yelich hit an abysmal .205 in last year’s shortened season.

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper (+1500) is still trying to replicate his 2015 MVP season. St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (+1500) is also among the top NL candidates with five top-eight MVP finishes in his career.

It’s been seven years since a pitcher won the MVP award in either the AL or NL.

Mike Trout Aaron Judge
Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the American League and Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees and the American League during the 89th MLB All-Star Game, presented by Mastercard at Nationals Park on July 17, 2018 in Washington, DC. Rob Carr/Getty Images
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