Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto are making headlines with their record-breaking contracts and MVP pursuits, and it’s a showdown every baseball fan should be watching. Ohtani's 10-year, $700 million deal with the Dodgers was the talk of the town until Juan Soto signed an even more staggering 15-year, $765 million contract with the Mets. While Ohtani has already snagged his fourth MVP title, Soto is still chasing his first, despite being hailed as one of the best hitters in the game.
MLB analyst John Jastremski weighed in on the brewing rivalry after Soto publicly set his sights on the 2026 National League MVP. Jastremski sees Ohtani as the frontrunner, given his remarkable two-way play.
Ohtani isn't just a slugger; he's a pitcher who can dominate on the mound every fifth day, and that's a rare combination. His ability to hit over 50 home runs while stealing just as many bases sets him apart, and it's no wonder he's had a grip on the MVP race lately.
Soto, however, is not backing down. He’s determined to dethrone Ohtani, and Jastremski believes that while Soto's MVP moment will come, it might not be this year. Soto's talent is undeniable, and his potential to eventually hold the MVP trophy is strong.
Last year, Soto had a rocky start with the Mets but turned it around in the second half, finishing with a 6.2 bWAR and third place in the NL MVP race. Despite not getting any first-place votes, his performance was noteworthy. Jastremski suggests that if Soto can improve his clutch hitting, he might just sway the MVP voters in his favor.
Soto’s .263/.396/.525 slash line and 160 OPS+ from last year are impressive, although they did dip from his previous season. He came close to a 40-40 season, smashing career highs with 43 homers and 38 stolen bases. If Soto clinches the MVP this year, he would make history as the first Mets player to do so.
The stage is set for an exciting MVP race, with Soto and Ohtani at the forefront. As the season unfolds, fans will be eager to see if Soto can rise to the challenge and finally claim the MVP crown.