AL Cy Young futures: Where things stand a month out from Spring Training

The 2024 MLB season is still a couple of months away from beginning, but it’s still a good time to look at some futures. In this piece, we’ll be looking at the AL Cy Young futures, with New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole the current favorite to repeat after he finally won his first one in 2023. Most of the odds are quite similar at the moment given how far we are away from the winner of the Cy Young being named in nearly a year, but, it’s still a good time to put some money down. Below, we’ll discuss some of the pitchers who are expected to contend.

Gerrit Cole

Cole was always in the Cy Young running for years but could never manage to win it until last season. The former UCLA standout had a fantastic campaign, going 15-4 with a 2.63 ERA in 33 starts, striking out 222 in 209 innings while walking just 48 hitters. He also had two shutouts. Cole is the clear-cut ace of this Yankees staff and one of the best starters in all of baseball. He will be the main man for Aaron Boone is 24’ and has every chance of winning another Cy Young with +600 odds at Bodog. Let’s just hope he gets some help so New York can actually contend.

Kevin Gausman

Gausman has finished top-10 in Cy Young voting for three straight years and was third last season. The Blue Jays righty emerged as the ace of the rotation in Toronto, producing a 12-9 record and 3.16 ERA in 31 starts. He struck out 237 hitters in 185 innings and held opposing hitters to a .233 average. Gausman remains with the Jays and will be relied upon to pitch some big innings for them again. He’s definitely one to keep an eye on in the AL Cy Young futures.

Framber Valdez

With Justin Verlander back in Houston, Valdez probably won’t be the No. 1 starter anymore. Nevertheless, he’s one of the nastiest left-handers in the sport. Valdez was ninth in Cy Young voting in 2023, posting a 12-11 record and a 3.45 ERA. Not his best year, but still efficient. Valdez manages to stay healthy and always gives the Astros a lot of innings, sitting around the 200-inning mark in each of the last two seasons. He’s got a chance.

Pablo Lopez

The Twins acquired Pablo Lopez in a trade with the Miami Marlins last January and he proceeded to shine for Minnesota en route to the playoffs. The Venezuelan went 11-8 with a 3.66 ERA in 32 outings, racking up 234 strikeouts in 194 innings. Lopez even made the All-Star Game. The righty is top-five at most MLB betting sites in the Cy Young odds.

Luis Castillo

Luis Castillo was a stud with the Cincinnati Reds and overall, he’s been the same with the Seattle Mariners. The hard-throwing right-hander was an All-Star in 2023, going 14-9 with a 3.34 ERA in 33 starts. He pounds the strike zone and has swing-and-miss stuff. For what it’s worth, Castillo was fifth in AL Cy Young voting last year, the first time he’s even been in consideration.