New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto aims to claim his first MVP award by ending Shohei Ohtani’s streak of consecutive National League MVP titles. Soto publicly recognized Ohtani’s dominance, signaling his determination to compete fiercely in the Shohei Ohtani MVP competition this season.
Speaking with MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo, Soto said,
“I’m going to be there every year, too,”
and added,
“So he better keep doing what he’s doing, because I’m coming.”
Comparing Performances: Soto’s Strong Numbers vs. Ohtani’s Dual Threat
In 2025, Soto delivered an impressive performance, batting .263 with 43 home runs, 105 RBIs, 120 runs scored, 38 stolen bases, and a .921 OPS across 160 games. These statistics make a compelling case for his MVP potential moving forward.
However, Ohtani’s 2025 season was exceptional not only at the plate but also on the mound, a factor that strengthens his MVP bid significantly. He posted a .282 batting average, hit 55 homers, recorded 102 RBIs, scored 146 runs, stole 20 bases, and achieved a remarkable 1.014 OPS. Additionally, Ohtani made 14 pitching appearances, compiling a 1-1 record with a 2.87 ERA, a 1.04 WHIP, and 62 strikeouts over 47 innings. Having recently recovered from Tommy John surgery, Ohtani is expected to contribute even more as a starting pitcher this season.
The Challenge Ahead for Soto in the MVP Race
Because Ohtani impacts the game both offensively and as a pitcher, surpassing his level of contribution remains a formidable task. Still, Soto understands that consistent growth is essential to break through in the MVP conversation.
He shared,
“I feel like everybody tries to do better than what they did before. I would definitely love to be better around the bases and better around the outfield. Even hitting, I try to keep my hitting increased. Thank god I’ve been doing well the past couple seasons. I’ve been putting numbers up there, career highs and stuff like that. So I just want to keep doing the same thing. I try to be better year after year.”
Mets’ Outlook and What the Future Holds
The Mets, coming off a disappointing 2025 season, are counting on significant offseason changes and Soto’s MVP-caliber performance to fuel their resurgence. If Soto can elevate his game and outpace Ohtani’s extraordinary two-way contributions, the MVP race could tilt in his favor. Otherwise, Ohtani’s unique skill set and sustained excellence will make him the player to beat for the foreseeable future.
