Nick Castellanos asserts that Jose Iglesias, the talented second baseman for the Mets, deserved the National League MVP title over Shohei Ohtani. Ohtani, a dynamic player for the Dodgers, garnered all 30 first-place votes after making history as the first member of MLB’s 50/50 club, significantly contributing to the Dodgers’ postseason ambitions.
“If the MVP award is about the player who creates the most wins for their team, then Jose Iglesias stands out as the clear choice,” Castellanos commented, reflecting on his time with Iglesias as a teammate on the Tigers. “His arrival brought a vital Latin energy that revitalized players like Francisco Lindor and helped Mark Vientos find his footing as an everyday third baseman. The Mets, who seemed lost early in the season, turned things around and made the playoffs, all while the city buzzed with uncertainty about the team’s future.”
Castellanos firmly believes, “From my perspective, Jose Iglesias is the unanimous MVP of the National League.”
He acknowledged Ohtani’s extraordinary talent, stating that if he were starting a franchise, he would choose Ohtani for his overall abilities. However, Castellanos maintains that Iglesias’s impact on the Mets’ success is what truly defines value in the MVP discussion.
“Shohei Ohtani played a significant role in the Dodgers’ success,” Castellanos noted. “But I wouldn’t say he’s the sole reason for their direction. His achievements are indeed remarkable, and if I were building a team, Ohtani would be my pick without question.”
“Yet, based on what I observed last season, Jose Iglesias deserves the MVP honor,” he emphasized.
Ohtani received 423 points in the MVP voting, with Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor finishing second at 263 points.
The Dodgers clinched the NL West title with an impressive 98-64 record. Ohtani, who is 30, achieved a .310 batting average—ranking fifth in MLB—and hit a career-high 54 home runs, the second-most in the league, throughout 159 games. After undergoing elbow surgery in late August 2023, he secured a staggering 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers. Ohtani has won the MVP award unanimously three times in four years, with one season ending in second place.
Iglesias, aged 35, boasted a .337 batting average with four home runs in just 85 games, contributing to a 3.1 bWAR. The Mets concluded the regular season with an 89-73 record, securing a wild-card spot in the NL East.
Castellanos, at 32, played all 162 games for the Phillies, finishing with a .254 batting average and 23 home runs. The Phillies clinched the NL East title with a 95-67 record.
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