Spring training starts next month. We’re going to be analyzing numerous MLB futures betting markets, including the 2023 MLB National League MVP. There are 40+ NL players with odds for this market.
Paul Goldschmidt won the NL MVP in 2022. He finished the season with a .317 batting average, 35 HRs and 115 RBIs. He led the National League in slugging percentage (.578) and OPS (.981).
The last player to win back-to-back NL MVP awards was Albert Pujols (2008 and 2009).
Top Contenders to Win the 2023 MLB NL MVP Award
Four players are priced at 10/1 odds or lower to win the MLB NL MVP award in 2023.
Juan Soto (+500)
Soto struggled in 2022 (.242 batting average, 27 HRs and 62 RBIs), but he was dealt to the Padres at the trade deadline. I expect his production to improve with a full season in San Diego.
The Padres have added a lot of talent to the roster to make a push for the playoffs.
Xander Bogaerts signed a huge contract ($280 million for 11 years). They’ve also recently brought in two veterans (Nelson Cruz and Matt Carpenter) with some playoffs experience.
Mookie Betts (+900)
Betts won the 2018 AL MVP, but he hasn’t won the NL MVP since joining the Dodgers. Betts finished 5th in voting last season and runner-up in 2020. If he maintains his power from 2022, he could win the award.
Betts had a career-high 35 HRs last season. He led the NL in runs (117), but only batted .269.
Fernando Tatis Jr. (+900)
I wouldn’t recommend betting on Tatis Jr. to win the NL MVP. He didn’t play in 2022 due to injuries and an 80-game suspension for PEDs. He’ll also miss the first 20 games of the 2023 MLB regular season.
Tatis Jr. will still be effective, but will he smash 40+ HRs in a season again? I’m skeptical.
Paul Goldschmidt (+1000)
Goldschmidt is a great player to have on your team. He doesn’t miss a lot of games and he’s generally good for 30+ HRs and around 100 RBIs. I wouldn’t bet on him to repeat as MVP, though.
2023 MLB National League MVP Predictions
Best Bet: Manny Machado (+1500)
Machado hasn’t won an MVP award yet in his career, but he was runner-up in voting for the first time in his career last season. He had a .298 batting average, 32 HRs and 102 RBIs with the Padres in 2022.
As mentioned earlier in this article, the Padres are stacked with hitters. There’s no reason they’re not one of the top-scoring teams in the league in 2023. Machado will likely bat 3rd behind Soto.
Machado needs to try and get on base more than he did in 2022 (.366). If he can do that, he could have a career year in San Diego. At 15/1 odds, Machado offers the best value for this futures betting market.
2023 MLB NL MVP Futures Betting Lines
Juan Soto (+500)
Mookie Betts (+900)
Fernando Tatis Jr. (+900)
Paul Goldschmidt (+1000)
Ronald Acuna Jr. (+1200)
Freddie Freeman (+1200)
Trea Turner (+1300)
Pete Alonso (+1500)
Manny Machado (+1500)
Austin Riley (+1500)
Nolan Arenado (+1800)
Matt Olson (+2200)
Kyle Schwarber (+2500)
Francisco Lindor (+2500)
Xander Bogaerts (+3000)
Ozzie Albies (+4000)
Bryce Harper (+4000)
Jazz Chisholm Jr. (+4000)
Michael Harris (+4000)
Dansby Swanson (+5000)
Seiya Suzuki (+7000)
Sandy Alcantara (+7000)
Starling Marte (+8000)
Rhys Hoskins (+8000)
Justin Verlander (+8000)
Brandon Crawford (+8000)
Christian Yelich (+8000)
Sean Murphy (+8000)
Oneil Cruz (+10000)
Max Muncy (+10000)
Kris Bryant (+10000)
Ke’Bryan Hayes (+10000)
Jonathan India (+10000)
Joc Pederson (+10000)
J.D. Martinez (+10000)
Jake Cronenworth (+10000)
Cody Bellinger (+10000)
Ian Happ (+10000)
J.T. Realmuto (+10000)
Brandon Nimmo (+10000)
Joey Votto (+10000)
Willy Adames (+10000)
Will Smith (+10000)
Tyler O’Neill (+10000)
Check out our 2023 MLB American League MVP predictions next.
