Yankees’ 2019 World Series Odds Worsen Following Encarnacion Deal

• The Yankees World Series Odds have lengthened despite adding AL home run leader Edwin Encarnacion
• The move upgrades one of the best offenses in baseball, but does nothing to help their struggling starting rotation
• Should bettors jump on the Yankees’ new odds?

The New York Yankees championship prospects took a hit this week according to online sportsbooks, despite trading for the American League home run leader.

2019 World Series Odds

*Odds taken 06/18/19

The Yankees average World Series odds fell from +500 to +550, and they’re now priced identically to the Minnesota Twins.

.@Yankees to acquire Edwin Encarnación from the Mariners, reports @JeffPassan.

Edwin currently leads the AL in homers with 21. 👀 https://t.co/xsu3Go14pb #MLBOnTheMove pic.twitter.com/uwChK1cwI2

— MLB (@MLB) June 16, 2019

The addition of Edwin Encarnacion bolsters one of baseball’s most powerful lineups when healthy, and gives the Yankees three of the best sluggers in the game.

Edwin Encarnacion on joining a lineup with Aaron Judge & Giancarlo Stanton: “We’re going to hit a lot of homers and win a lot of games too.”

— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) June 17, 2019

The Yankees Lineup Is Loaded

Despite missing Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge for nearly the last two months, New York has still lived up to its reputation as the Bronx Bombers. The Yankees rank top-5 in the AL in home runs, runs, average, OPS and run differential.

“Do you know how nasty this offense has the ability to be?”

– @NickSwisher on the @Yankees adding Edwin Encarnación pic.twitter.com/5p0kxA6wo5

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 18, 2019

Stanton returned to action Tuesday, while Judge is expected back this week, and the addition of Encarnacion makes their lineup virtually impossible to pitch around.

How tf can you pitch to this lineup?

1. DJ LeMahieu 3B
2. Aaron Judge RF
3. Giancarlo Stanton LF
4. Gary Sanchez C
5. Edwin Encarnacion DH
6. Didi Gregorius SS
7. Aaron Hicks CF
8. Luke Voit 1B
9. Gleyber Torres 2B#PinstripePride

— #AllRise (44-27) (@judgemania99) June 16, 2019

The problem is their offense was already a major strength, and the trade does nothing to improve their biggest leak, which is their starting rotation.

Pitching Is Still a Concern

New York’s starters currently own an ERA over 4.00 and have produced just 23 quality starts all season. James Paxton has been a disappointment in his first season in pinstripes, while CC Sabathia and Masahiro Tanaka have struggled as well.

The eventual return of Luis Severino should help, but his timetable remains a mystery.

Looks like Edwin Encarnación is being traded to the New York Yankees

Brian Cashman: pic.twitter.com/z4V2OCjSjm

— SNY (@SNYtv) June 16, 2019

They were outbid in the Dallas Keuchel sweepstakes and with no bluechip arms in the farm system, the Yankees will need to add another bonafide starter soon if they hope to retain the division lead. Until they do, I’d look elsewhere to find World Series value, and I’d start with the team just below New York in the standings.

The Rays Represent Good Value

Tampa Bay has hit a bit of a rough patch in their schedule which is fine because it’s dropped their World Series odds to +1400. Their pitching staff is historically good, and their run differential is superior than the Yankees.

?️?#RaysUp pic.twitter.com/szNRwcefq7

— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) June 19, 2019

They’re the only team in baseball with more than four hitters with a weighted runs created plus (wRC+) of at least 120, and they have a solid grip on the AL’s first wildcard.