Nationals’ World Series Odds Improve Following Patrick Corbin Signing
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports. Pictured: Patrick Corbin.
- On Tuesday evening, the Washington Nationals surprised the baseball world by signing left-handed starter Patrick Corbin to a six-year, $140 million deal.
- Following the news, their World Series odds moved from 20-1 to 12-1 in Vegas.
- The MLB Winter Meeting take place next week in Las Vegas, where there may be several other major deals.
The Washington Nationals may very well be losing Bryce Harper this offseason, but they made it known today that they're still going to be contenders for the 2019 World Series.
Over the past several weeks, Patrick Corbin has been linked to primarily the Phillies and Yankees in rumors. In fact, when free agency odds were posted over a month ago, the Yankees were -190 favorites. Listed at +850? The Nationals.
Source confirms that Patrick Corbin's six-year deal with the Washington Nationals is for $140 million.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 4, 2018
This news kind of came out of nowhere and even the initial reports didn't know which team he signed with, just that it was a six-year deal.
The Nats will now roll out a starting rotation with Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Corbin, whose 6.3 fWAR last year was 5th best in the MLB.
Following the news, the Westgate Las Vegas Superbook quickly changed their World Series odds.
- Before: +2000
- After: +1200
This represents a 2.9% increase in implied probability. Despite missing out on Corbin, the Phillies are still close behind at +1400, while the Braves have the best odds in what should be a tightly contested NL East at +1000.
Even without Harper, the Nats can still roll out a formidable lineup including Anthony Rendon, Juan Soto, Adam Eaton and Trea Turner. Also potentially set to break out is outfielder Victor Robles — the No. 4 prospect in the baseball per MLB.com.
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With Corbin, the Nats now have one of the top rotations in the game. The 29-year-old southpaw set career highs with the Snakes last year in several categories, including:
- ERA 3.15
- FIP 2.47
- K/9: 11.07
- HR/9: 0.68
It is possible that the Nats' odds do get worse within the next couple of weeks, though. If Philly is able to sign Harper or Manny Machado, which they appear set on doing, the NL East will get even more competitive.
Stay tuned for more hot stove news, as the MLB Winter Meetings take place next week in Las Vegas — where else.
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