"Dude signed in league with Shohei Ohtani, good luck getting MVPs" - Fans react as Juan Soto's Mets contract ft. million dollar MVP bonuses and more
It's tough to win MVP in the league where Shohei Ohtani is playing. Now, Juan Soto is returning to the National League after signing with the New York Mets on a record 15-year, $765 million deal.
Soto's record, the richest in the majors, has several stipulations that could help him earn more. According to MLB insider Jon Heyman, he is eligible for awards bonuses, such as $500,000 for his first MVP win, $350,000 for finishing second, $150,000 for finishing third through fifth and $1 million for each subsequent MVP win.
Additionally, Soto will have access to a luxury suite for home games, four premium seats at home games and security provided for him and his family both at home and on the road. The contract also guarantees his preferred uniform number, 22, and a full no-trade clause.
Seeing these MVP-oriented bonuses, some fans couldn't help but joke if the outfielder will ever win one, especially with Ohtani playing for the same award.
"Lmao dude signed in the league with Ohtani, good luck getting MVPs (this isn’t salt, it’s a genuine statement, it took Judge getting 62 to beat Ohtani in 2022)," one fan commented.
"The idea of this happening feels weird. Seeing Ohtani at anything other than video game freak numbers," another fan wrote.
"Time traveler here. Ohtani hits .257 in 2039. On the bright side, 74 homers," a fan joked.
Some fans see it happening, but only if the Japanese phenom starts to decline:
"I’m not saying Ohtani is gonna fall off a cliff but I think there will be Ohtani MVP fatigue at some point. Could be wrong though," one fan posted.
"I mean unless Ohtani stays at this level until deep in his 30s, Soto would still be in his prime when Ohtani starts to decline," one fan wrote.
"When Ohtani starts to decline," another fan added.
Juan Soto's potential to win MVP could take a backseat if Shohei Ohtani returns to mound
Assuming Shohei Ohtani's hitting numbers stay the same, even if Juan Soto somehow matches that, he will likely not be able to match what Ohtani does on the mound.
After not pitching the entirety of the 2024 season as he was rehabbing an elbow surgery he underwent in Sept. 2023, the two-way superstar aims to get back on the mound and make an impact on both sides of the plate.
This will make Soto's MVP job even tougher. Ohtani was named unanimous MVP despite playing only DH in 2024. And now that he is expected to return for pitching as well, it will be a highly difficult job for Soto to earn MVP at least for the first few years.
Do you think Juan Soto can win the NL MVP while Ohtani is still in his prime? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.