If there’s one thing that seems almost certain, it’s that Shohei Ohtani will once again win the National League MVP in 2026. It seems nearly impossible to take the award away from him – though the idea is emerging that Juan Soto might actually pull it off.
The Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar has already won four MLB MVP awards – three consecutively, including two with Los Angeles. Even if he didn’t pitch a single inning, the 31-year-old would still be a top contender. Add to that his Cy Young-caliber pitching and base-stealing ability, with 20 stolen bases in 2025 and 59 in 2024.
Juan Soto could challenge Shohei Ohtani
At MLB.com, columnist Anthony Castrovince believes Juan Soto has the caliber to challenge Ohtani in 2026. The New York Mets slugger, who signed for over $700 million, is an elite hitter, consistently getting on base and contributing with stolen bases.
“Were the Mets a disaster last season? Yes. Was it Soto’s fault? No. He became the third player in history – and the first of this century – to record a season with 40 home runs, 100 RBI, 100 walks, 100 runs, and 30 stolen bases. His defense may remain a hurdle, but there’s no reason this 27-year-old, at the peak of his plate discipline and power, can’t win MVP,” Castrovince wrote.
A key factor in Juan Soto’s 2026 NL MVP candidacy is whether the Mets need team success for his case to gain traction. With the Dodgers as World Series favorites, New York likely needs to secure a playoff spot – even if Soto posts a 2026 season on par with or better than Ohtani.
If Soto performs well enough to surpass Ohtani and claim the 2026 NL MVP, it would signal the Mets finished the regular season in a strong, competitive position.
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