As we inch closer to kicking off the 2012 MLB season, it’s only right to throw out predictions for the coveted awards given at the end of the season. With the huge offseason moves made by big names that moved into the American League, the dynamics of the MVP race is going to be one of the most exciting we have ever seen. Bovada.com is listing all odds for the MLB awards currently and there are slew of categories you can check out. Looking over the names on the list in the AL we have the usual contenders in Jose Bautista, Robinson Cano, Evan Longoria, Adrian Gonzalez, and Miguel Cabrera.

But it is the new big bat in LA that is sitting atop the list of AL MVP odds on Bovada.com: Albert Pujols.

At this point, the odds show you just how close this race will be all the way until the finish. Pujols is only set 11/2, followed by Gonzalez and Cabrera at 15/2, and last year’s winner in Justin Verlander much further down at 25/1. With the victory, Verlander had in being the first pitcher since 1992 to win an MVP, the list includes many more pitchers now that it’s been shown to be possible.

But children, it’s not happening again.

The crazy thing about the American League is that a majority of the people on the odds list have either won or definitely could win in the next few seasons. Dustin Pedroia (22/1), Joe Mauer (20/1), Justin Morneau (30/1), Alex Rodriguez (25/1), and Josh Hamilton (25/1) have all been past MVP winners that have been plagued by injury since their award winning seasons.

The National League MVP beting odds are much more top-heavy. In my opinion, if the top three players on the list stay healthy, it’s really only a three horse race. Joey Votto (7/1), current MVP Ryan Braun (8/1), and Matt Kemp (9/1) are these three. Each three of these players are approaching their prime and with Votto winning the award in 2010, Kemp is the only one left without a trophy. With the realization that pitcher could win the award now, the aces of the league are no longer limited to the just Cy Young, but also can take home the big boy. That includes Clayton Kershaw, last year’s Cy Young winner who is set 25/1 odds, tied with the likes of Buster Posey, Hanley Ramirez, Hunter Pence, and Jay Bruce. As far as pitcher’s go, they are more likely to be fighting the award no hitter can’t take away from them.

AL & NL MVP Odds (complete list) – click image to bet at Bovada