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The numbers that Shohei Ohtani has been putting up this season has led almost everyone to believe that the 30 year-old is all but guaranteed to win the third MVP Award of his career. However, not every pundit sees this conclusion as inevitable.
On a recent appearance on MLB Network, veteran MLB manager Buck Showalter discussed contenders for the NL MVP Award with Greg Amsinger. According to Showalter, Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor should be crowned with the league's highest honor.
"Lindor is a premium position guy... he can go 0-for-4 and win a game, those DHs can't go 0-for-4 and win a game," the 68 year-old claimed.
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"Francisco Lindor is Buck Showalter's NL MVP" - MLB Network
Having coached Lindor in his capacity as the manager of the New York Mets in 2022 and 2023, Showalter knows firsthand the Puerto Rican's capability. Per Showalter's logic, the defensive plays that Lindor consistently completes makes him one of the best all-around players in MLB.
By contrast, Shohei Ohtani has served exclusively as a DH this season. However, despite being relieved of his regular two-way pitching duties on account of an offseason surgery, the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar leads the National League in runs scored, home runs, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, and total bases.
The winner of the MVP Awards in both 2021 and 2023 with the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani's case was backed up by the fact that he demonstrated outstanding seasons in the box and on the mound.
"Francisco Lindor drives in his 81st run of the season and it's 4-1 Mets! And MVP chants at Citi Field!" - SNY
In addition to his strong defensive play, Lindor has hit .271/.342/.493 with 29 home runs and 81 RBIs this year. In addition to posting his highest slugging percentage since 2019, Lindor is on track to hit his most home runs since 2018.
Francisco Lindor's case over Shohei Ohtani is gaining steam among pundits
In light of the tremendous season that Francisco Lindor has shown this season, Showalter is not the only person entertaining the possibility of the Puerto Rican winning the MVP.
"Defensively, he [Francisco Lindor] is my favorite shortstop to watch. If you're big on fundamentals and teaching the game to the youth, you'd show them him," Mark DeRose claimed on a recent appearance on MLB Network.
To be sure, there is still a month to go, and anything can happen. However, the otherworldly seasons displayed by both Lindor and Shohei Ohtani show that they may indeed be neck-in-neck come awards time.
