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New York Yankees: Vegas Odds Indicate Gary Sanchez is MVP Candidate

By Nick Ziegler

Mar 14, 2017; Port Charlotte, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays catcher Luke Maile (21) takes a ball to the face mask on a could ball hit from New York Yankees' Gary Sanchez (24) in the fifth inning of a baseball game during spring training at Charlotte Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2017; Port Charlotte, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays catcher Luke Maile (21) takes a ball to the face mask on a could ball hit from New York Yankees' Gary Sanchez (24) in the fifth inning of a baseball game during spring training at Charlotte Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez had a great rookie season that has led to big expectations. Can he win the AL MVP Award?

After the historic rookie season, New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez has the potential to be one of the best players in the American League this season.

In 53 games last season, Sanchez totaled 20 home runs, 43 RBIs, and .299 batting average. Sanchez obviously didn’t play the entire season for the Yankees, but he had a huge impact on the team in the second half of the season.

When the Yankees began to trade their veterans, Sanchez was one of the young players to come up and help the team. Behind his historic start to his career, the Yankees were able to contend for a playoff spot when nobody thought they could.

Many are curious to see what Sanchez can do with a whole season under his belt, and Vegas has recently released their odds for the American League MVP Award. The Bovada in Las Vegas released odds to NJ.com, and as expected Mike Trout was a heavy favorite at 5/4.

What was interesting was to see Sanchez come in at 18/1 odds. Considering he only played in 53 games, he is being considered as one of the best players in the American League. He has better odds to win the MVP than former Yankee Robinson Cano. Also, he has similar odds to Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa.

It is hard to predict what type of statistics Sanchez will be able to accumulate in a full season. If he is able to total about 30 home runs as a catcher, he will certainly be in the conversation for the MVP award. In order to win, having the Yankees being a competitive team will certainly help.

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Seeing these odds should certainly be exciting for Yankees fans. Having an MVP candidate as young as Sanchez is something that few teams can say they have heading into the 2017 season.

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