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With Major League Baseball Spring Training starting this week, now is a good time for baseball bettors to look ahead and start reviewing the odds to win the 2009 World Series.
The money-burning New York Yankees are +400 favorites to win the Fall Classic in World Series Betting Odds at betED.com.
After missing the playoffs for the first time since 1993, the Yankees blew $423.5 million to add three players in the off-season: pitchers CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett, and first baseman Mark Teixeira.
The Boston Red Sox are at +775 odds to win the World Series, followed by the Chicago Cubs at +800. The Los Angeles Angels (+875) and New York Mets (+1100) round out the top five 2009 World Series favorites at betED.com.
Some moves made by the Red Sox include acquiring RHP Ramon Ramirez from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for Coco Crisp, signing second-baseman Dustin Pedroia to six-year extension, and inking infielder Kevin Youkilis to a four-year contract.
The Cubs, swept in the first round of the playoffs for the second straight season, added a big left-handed bat in Milton Bradley, let Kerry Wood sign with Cleveland and promoted Carlos Marmol to closer.
The Angels signed Brian Fuentes to replace K-Rod, while letting go of Garret Anderson, Jon Garland and Teixeira.
The Mets added closer Francisco Rodriguez and J.J. Putz to their broken bullpen.
Meanwhile, the 2008 World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies are +1500 to repeat this season. The Phillies made only a few major moves during the off-season, signing Raul Ibanez to replace Pat Burrell and adding pitcher Chan Ho Park.
More than 70 players remain unsigned from the group of 171 that filed for free agency after the World Series, about a dozen more than at this point last year.
Manny Ramirez, Ken Griffey Jr., Adam Dunn, Bobby Abreu, Garret Anderson, Orlando Hudson and Orlando Cabrera are all still looking for work.
Check out the full list of MLB teams and odds to win the World Series at betED.com.
