Juan Soto Eyes 2026 NL MVP Over Shohei Ohtani

Mets star confident he can surpass Angels two-way phenom in MVP race

Mar. 2, 2026 at 1:28pm

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New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto is aiming to unseat Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani as the 2026 National League MVP. Soto believes he can improve on his already impressive numbers and lead the Mets to the playoffs, giving him the edge over Ohtani's two-way dominance. While Ohtani has the advantage of pitching every sixth day, Soto is determined to close the gap through improved baserunning and power production.

Why it matters

The NL MVP race between Soto and Ohtani could be one of the most anticipated individual rivalries in baseball, with two of the game's brightest young stars battling for the league's top individual honor. Soto's success would also be a major boost for the Mets as they look to dethrone the Dodgers in the NL East.

The details

Soto, 27, is coming off a season in which he hit .301 with 35 home runs and 115 RBIs for the Mets. He also stole a career-high 38 bases, showcasing his well-rounded skill set. Ohtani, 31, is the reigning AL MVP after another dominant two-way campaign for the Angels. However, Soto believes he can match Ohtani's production and overtake him in the MVP voting, especially if the Mets can win their division.

  • Soto and Ohtani are both under guaranteed contracts through the 2033 season.
  • Soto stole a career-high 38 bases in 2025, an intentional effort to improve his all-around game.

The players

Juan Soto

A 27-year-old outfielder for the New York Mets who is aiming to unseat Shohei Ohtani as the 2026 NL MVP.

Shohei Ohtani

A 31-year-old two-way star for the Los Angeles Angels who is the reigning AL MVP.

Pete Alonso

A former Mets slugger who provided lineup protection for Soto but is no longer on the team.

Bo Bichette

A Mets infielder who will bat behind Soto in 2026 after driving in 94 runs last season.

Jorge Polanco

A Mets infielder who will also bat behind Soto in 2026.

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What they’re saying

“I'm going to be there every year, too. So he better keep doing what he's doing, because I'm coming.”

— Juan Soto

“You know, Pete was great for the team. He was great in the clubhouse, and outside of the clubhouse, he was a great leader. But you've got to move on. You've got to move on, and what we do here is, we are the same, we are equal.”

— Juan Soto

What’s next

The Mets will need their starting rotation to step up in 2026 in order to give Soto the best chance at leading the team to the playoffs and the NL MVP award.

The takeaway

The 2026 NL MVP race between Juan Soto and Shohei Ohtani could be one of the most compelling individual rivalries in baseball, with two of the game's brightest stars battling for the league's top individual honor. Soto's confidence and determination to improve his all-around game make him a serious threat to unseat the two-way dominance of Ohtani.