While fans of the Philadelphia Phillies, winners of the 2008 World Series, are still warming up from watching the clincher in near-freezing temperatures Wednesday night, Boston Red Sox fans are already warming up to the idea that their team is the early favorite to win next season’s Fall Classic, the club’s second in three seasons and third in six years. The Boston Globe has reported that MLB betting is already underway a day before the parade down Broad Street in downtown Philadelphia and Las Vegas oddsmakers have given the Sox 3-to-1 odds of capturing the crown in 2009. This year’s champion is listed at 6-to-1, while the Tampa Bay Rays, who faced 200-to-1 before the 2008 season, have 10-to-1 odds.

Meanwhile, the team with the longest shot at winning it all next season is the Washington Nationals, who face 300-to-1 odds behind the Pittsburgh Pirates (200-to-1) and four teams listed at 100-to-1, including one of Boston’s rivals in the American League East, Baltimore Orioles. Speaking of rivals, the New York Yankees face 6-to-1 odds going into the winter meetings, where they are expected to make an impact on the free agent or trade market after missing the playoffs for the first time since 1993. Boston’s other divisional opponent, the Toronto Blue Jays, are 20-to-1 odds.

Like today’s volatile stock market, the sports betting market is subject to fluctuations, and Boston’s chances in the eyes of bookmakers will depend on moves made by the club this off-season. At present, two of Boston’s biggest questions are whether they will re-sign catcher Jason Varitek, who is consider among the best in terms of calling a game but who is also coming off his worst season at the plate in 12 seasons with the Red Sox, and if they will make any noise in the trade or free agents market; among those being eyed this season by several clubs include first baseman Mark Teixeira and pitchers Jake Peavy and A.J. Burnett. The Red Sox must also consider whether to part ways with shortstop Julio Lugo, who has struggled in his two seasons with Boston, in favor of another Red Sox farm product, Jed Lowrie.

Tags: Boston Red Sox, Jason Varitek, Jed Lowrie, Julio Lugo