AL MVP futures: Yankees’ Aaron Judge, Juan Soto the favorites

The 2024 MLB season is officially underway after Opening Day on Thursday. While winning a World Series is every team’s goal in October, there are also several individual accolades that are an honor to win for players. One of them is the American League MVP. Reigning winner Shohei Ohtani is now in the National League with the Los Angeles Dodgers, which means New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge is the favorite to capture the award. But, teammate Juan Soto, who the Bronx Bombers acquired this offseason, isn’t far behind him. Below, we’ll discuss a handful of the contenders.

Aaron Judge

Sure, Aaron Judge didn’t replicate his 62-homer season from 2022 where he went on to easily win MVP, but the slugger still put up decent numbers in 23’. Despite missing quite a bit of time due to a toe injury, Judge slashed .267 with 37 bombs and 75 RBI. The Yankees were miserable offensively and Judge was about the only bright spot. If he stays healthy, there’s no reason the outfielder won’t be in the MVP mix, especially with Ohtani no longer in the AL. 888sport has given Judge +550 odds to win MVP.

Juan Soto

Soto has never won MVP, but he’s been in the mix numerous times. The 25-year-old made his name with the Washington Nationals, helping them win a World Series in 2019 before he was traded to the San Diego Padres in 2022. Things didn’t work out in Southern California and they couldn’t pay him, so the Padres traded Soto to the Yankees. He has a serious chance to be a beast at Yankee Stadium with the short porch in left field. Last season, Soto hit .275 with 35 home runs and 109 RBI. He’ll be a go-to guy for Aaron Boone.

Corey Seager

Seager was a key factor for the Rangers last year en route to their World Series title, coming up big in the postseason. That’s a common occurrence for the veteran, who is a two-time World Series MVP and NLCS MVP. Seager also finished second in AL MVP voting last season behind Ohtani after slashing .327 with 33 long balls and 96 RBI. Seager is a consistent producer and should be in the running for MVP. 

Julio Rodriguez

The king of Seattle. Mariners superstar Julio Rodriguez is one of the most electric players in the big leagues and has only scratched the surface in terms of his ceiling. Rodriguez was fourth in the AL MVP race a year ago after hitting .275 with 32 homers and 103 RBI. A true five-tool player, Rodriguez can do it all on the baseball diamond. An MVP will surely be in his trophy case one of these days. We’ll see if it happens in 24’.

Yordan Alvarez

Alvarez has one of the sweetest swings you’ll ever see and he’s become a staple in the Astros’ franchise. The Cuban played in just 114 games last season but he was brilliant went available, going deep 31 times and driving in 97 to go along with a .293 average. An All-Star across the last two years, Alvarez was third in the MVP voting in 2022. He’s top-five at MLB betting sites.