This is the second time in two years that Ohtani has been honored as a unanimous MVP, having won the award in 2021. He is also the first player in Major League Baseball history to win the award twice as a unanimous MVP.

Previously, Hank Greenberg, Al Rosen, Mickey Mantle, Frank Robinson, Denny McLain, Reggie Jackson, Jose Canseco, Frank Thomas, Ken Griffey Jr. and Ohtani’s teammate Mike Trout were unanimous MVPs. However, the players who represented Major League Baseball had only won the MVP award once before, and that was unanimously.굿모닝토토 도메인

This season, Ohtani went 10-5 with a 3.14 ERA in 23 games and 132 innings pitched, and batted .304 with 151 hits, 44 home runs, 95 RBIs, and a 1.066 OPS in 135 games and 497 at-bats. Notably, Ohtani is the only player in the major leagues with back-to-back 10-win seasons and 10 home runs, and a single-season 10-win, 40-homer campaign. Ohtani also ranked first in the majors in bWAR (wins above replacement) according to Baseball-Reference, with 10.0, and in fWAR (fWAR) according to FanGraphs, with 9.0. With such stellar numbers, Ohtani was an early favorite for American League MVP this season.

He also won the American League Rookie of the Year award in 2018 and the American League MVP in 2021 and 2023. He is a three-time All-Star (2021-2023) and a two-time Silver Slugger (2021, 2023), making him the most decorated player in Major League Baseball history.

Now that he’s won the MVP, his price tag is even higher. On July 15, Ohtani received a qualifying offer from the Angels, which he declined.

That’s when his free agency began in earnest. Ohtani has been ranked No. 1 in free agency power rankings by MLB.com, FOX Sports, ESPN, and other outlets. “Ohtani is the best free agent this year, even though he’s coming off elbow surgery,” said MLB.com, “and while his return to the mound is still a long way off, his bat alone will surpass the nine-year, $360 million contract signed by Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees.”

ESPN also believes that “Ohtani will sign a massive 10-year, $520 million contract,” which would be the largest free agent contract in Major League Baseball history. The Los Angeles Dodgers have been mentioned as a possible destination. “Dodgers president Andrew Friedman is very interested in Ohtani,” ESPN’s Buster Olney reported, citing a Dodgers source, “and he will work to bring him to Dodger Stadium.”

MLB Trade Rumors specifically predicted that Ohtani would sign a 12-year, $528 million deal with the Dodgers. “By signing with the Dodgers, Ohtani can play in the postseason and remain in the time slot he has become accustomed to over the past six years,” Fox Sports explained. The Dodgers’ interest in Ohtani is high in this market.

There are a lot of teams in the market for Ohtani, who has proven to be one of the best players in the world. In addition to the Dodgers, the New York Mets, Seattle Mariners, and San Francisco Giants are reportedly in the running to sign Ohtani, according to The Athletic. In the midst of a hot market, the reigning MVP’s price tag is only getting higher.

“He’s the first player in history to win two unanimous MVP awards,” MLB.com wrote, “and he’s making major league history.”