The Los Angeles Dodgers made another big splash by signing Kyle Tucker to a four-year, $240-million contract, and have also been linked to Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Freddy Peralta on the trade front.
Consider that the reigning World Series champs also signed closer Edwin Diaz and may not be done improving their roster this offseason.
This has resulted in their 2026 World Series odds reaching one of the shortest preseason numbers in recent history. Below, we'll look at those odds and compare them to similar teams that breathed the same rarefied air.
2026 World Series odds
Crown the Dodgers, already
The Los Angeles Dodgers opened the offseason at +350 to win the 2026 World Series, according to Sports Odds History. The New York Yankees were closest at +800, and every other team was +1200 or longer.
Things haven't changed drastically since then, for the most part. The Yankees are +850, and the Seattle Mariners are now third on the board at +1200.
However, the Dodgers' odds have shrunk to between +240 (DraftKings, bet365) and +220 (FanDuel), giving them an implied probability of around 29-31% to win a third consecutive Fall Classic. While this is rare, it's not unheard of, and even Los Angeles itself has been here before. Just last winter, the Dodgers went from +400 after winning the 2024 World Series to +350 in December and later +240 by the end of March.
Roki Sasaki and Tanner Scott were their belwether free-agent acquisitions, and this offseason's crop certainly outclasses that, so another trip to the World Series certainly seems a given, particularly for L.A. fans and the "Dodgers are ruining baseball" contingent.
Hold your horses!
While it's true the Dodgers won the World Series, they were pushed to the brink by the Toronto Blue Jays over seven games and even needed a comeback victory to take Game 7.
The Dodgers also saw their World Series odds drop to +350 in September and +500 at the onset of the postseason. The supposed behemoths went 35-30 in the second half, and players like Mookie Betts played below their usual standard. The rotation battled injuries, the bullpen was a real weakness into October, and the outfield was a revolving door. The Edwin Diaz and Kyle Tucker additions shore some of those areas up, but is it premature to consider the World Series all wrapped up in January?
It should. Despite the Dodgers ultimately going wire-to-wire despite some concerns popping up along the way, it's been a minute since we've seen a preseason favorite at +300 or shorter.
The 2005 and 2007 Yankees each peaked at +300 before Opening Day. Neither won the World Series.
And to those decrying the Dodgers' practices as detrimental to the sheer fabric of America's Pastime, the Yankees were +260 or shorter every preseason from 1999 through 2004. While New York won the first two, it didn't claim another title until 2009.
The Yankees did win the 1998 World Series, but they were +600 to do so on April 1. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Braves were +200 and lost to the San Diego Padres in the NLCS.
The Braves were also shorter than +300 in the 1993 preseason, but lost to the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLCS.
Ultimately, dating back to 1990, 14 teams have had preseason odds at +300 or shorter, and three have gone on to win the World Series. So while itmay be frustrating as a non-Dodgers fan to watch Los Angeles pluck up even more top names while flexing financial fortitude, it doesn't always work out. In fact, it may be more likely that it doesn't.
That's not to say I'd suggest wagering against them! Until a different team can rise and prove it's got what it takes, the Dodgers are clearly the class of MLB entering the 2026 regular season.
World Series winners' preseason odds
Let's look back at where World Series winners were in the odds board during the preseason.
| Year | Winning team | Preseason odds |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 |  Dodgers |
+240 |
| 2024 | Dodgers |
+350 |
| 2023 |  Rangers |
+5000 |
| 2022 |  Astros |
+1000 |
| 2021 |  Braves |
+1000 |
| 2020 | Dodgers |
+385 |
| 2019 |  Nationals |
+1600 |
| 2018 |  Red Sox |
+1150 |
| 2017 | Astros |
+1175 |
| 2016 |  Cubs |
+660 |
| 2015 |  Royals |
+3300 |
| 2014 |  Giants |
+2500 |
| 2013 | Red Sox |
+2800 |
| 2012 | Giants |
+2000 |
| 2011 |  Cardinals |
+2500 |
| 2010 | Giants |
+2500 |
| 2009 |  Yankees |
+500 |
| 2008 |  Phillies |
+2000 |
| 2007 | Red Sox |
+700 |
| 2006 | Cardinals |
+700 |
| 2005 |  White Sox |
+2200 |
| 2004 | Red Sox |
+400 |
| 2003 |  Marlins |
+7500 |
| 2002 |  Angels |
+4000 |
| 2001 |  Diamondbacks |
+1000 |
| 2000 | Yankees |
+250 |
| 1999 | Yankees |
+200 |
| 1998 | Yankees |
+600 |
| 1997 | Marlins |
+1000 |
| 1996 | Yankees |
+700 |
| 1995 | Braves |
+400 |
| 1993 |  Blue Jays |
+600 |
| 1992 | Blue Jays |
+700 |
| 1991 |  Twins |
+8000 |
| 1990 |  Reds |
+1600 |
Odds courtesy Sports Odds History
