Key Highlights
- The Seattle Mariners’ general manager Jerry Dipoto backs his catcher Cal Raleigh over the New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge for the American League’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.
- Dipoto argues that Raleigh contributed more to his team’s success this season, while Boone, the Yankees’ manager, supports Judge as the clear MVP choice.
- Aaron Judge has a higher WAR and better batting statistics than Cal Raleigh according to Fangraphs and Baseball Reference.
- The 204 wRC+ achieved by Aaron Judge is one of the highest since 2022, making him a candidate for the three-time MVP club with other legendary players.
Seattle’s Backing for Cal Raleigh
Jerry Dipoto, general manager of the Seattle Mariners since 2015, has made his stance on the MVP race clear. In an interview with Fox 13 Sports Director Aaron Levine, Dipoto expressed strong support for his team’s catcher:
“I think (Aaron Judge) is an unbelievable player – cruise into the Hall of Fame, first ballot. But I can’t imagine he did more to help his team get to where they needed to get to than Cal, on every front,” Dipoto said.
The Yankees’ Choice: Aaron Judge
While Jerry Dipoto is confident in Raleigh’s performance, the New York Yankees are backing their own star player. Manager Aaron Boone chose Aaron Judge as the clear-cut MVP:
“Nothing Aaron Judge does surprises me,” Boone stated during an interview with NJ.com. “I mean, to me, he’s the clear-cut MVP. Batting title.
I feel like he’s been on base seven times a day the last week. Whether they don’t pitch to him, pitch to him, hitting it out of the ballpark. Made a really good play in right field to open the game.
You see his athleticism out there. I don’t put anything past 99. He’s playing like an all-time great.”
Statistical Analysis: Judge vs. Raleigh
The statistical evidence points towards Aaron Judge as a strong MVP candidate:
- Judge has a higher WAR according to both Fangraphs and Baseball Reference.
- His batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging are significantly better than Raleigh’s.
- Raleigh’s 204 wRC+ is the highest since 2022, making him a candidate for the three-time MVP club with Barry Bonds, Mike Trout, Albert Pujols, Alex Rodriguez, Mike Schmidt, Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Roy Campanella, Stan Musiel, Joe DiMaggio, and Jimmie Foxx.
While both players have impressive performances this season, the debate over who deserves the MVP award is likely to continue as the American League’s Most Valuable Player will be announced in November 2025. Regardless of the outcome, the support from their respective organizations highlights the importance each player holds for their teams.
Expert Analysis and Future Implications
The choice between Judge and Raleigh reflects broader discussions within baseball about evaluating player performance. While statistical metrics play a crucial role in MVP debates, this year’s candidates showcase how different perspectives can shape voter decisions:
“The proof for Judge is all there,” Boone asserts, emphasizing the clear-cut nature of his selection based on performance and contributions to the team.
Meanwhile, Dipoto’s support for Raleigh underscores the importance of organizational backing in such high-stakes debates. As the MVP race progresses, fans and analysts will continue to weigh these perspectives to determine who truly deserves this prestigious honor.
The outcome could influence future discussions on player evaluation methods, as well as individual career trajectories. Both Judge and Raleigh have shown exceptional skills that could cement their places in baseball history, regardless of which player ultimately wins the MVP award this year.
