Crow-Armstrong, Alvarez Win Unanimous MVPs, Ending Ohtani's Three-Year Reign

Key points

• Pete Crow-Armstrong won the NL MVP unanimously, finishing with 45 home runs, 41 stolen bases, and 10.6 WAR, the highest in baseball.
• Yordan Alvarez won the AL MVP unanimously, leading the league in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and OPS, despite playing only 25 games in the outfield.
• Shohei Ohtani finished second in the NL voting after missing time due to a knee injury and biceps issue, ending his three-year MVP streak.
• The 2026 season marked the first time since 1956 that both league MVPs and Cy Young Award winners were selected unanimously.
• Crow-Armstrong's 10.6 WAR was 3.6 wins higher than the next-closest player, Bobby Witt Jr., the largest gap since 1954.

Background

Shohei Ohtani had won the NL MVP in 2024 and 2025, becoming the first player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a season. In 2026, Ohtani's two-way role was hampered by injuries, while Crow-Armstrong, a former Mets prospect, emerged as a five-tool star for the Chicago Cubs. Yordan Alvarez, a longtime Astros slugger, had previously finished third in the AL MVP vote in 2022 but never won the award until this season.

How outlets are covering it

OutKick emphasized Crow-Armstrong's dramatic in-season turnaround, noting his walk rate jumped from 4.5% to 11.4% and his bat speed increased, leading to a 10.6-win season. MLB.com highlighted the historic nature of the unanimous votes, noting it was the first time both league MVPs and Cy Young winners were unanimous since 1956. The Los Angeles Times focused on Ohtani's injury-plagued season and the Dodgers' uncertainty regarding his 2027 workload due to a potential lockout. CBS Sports analyzed Crow-Armstrong's career trajectory, comparing him to Willie Mays and Mike Trout, while noting his 2026 season was the 57th 10-WAR season in history.

Why it matters

The unanimous MVP awards signal a shift in baseball's elite tier, with Crow-Armstrong and Alvarez establishing themselves as the new standard-bearers. Crow-Armstrong's success despite a slow start demonstrates the value of plate discipline adjustments, while Alvarez's achievement as a designated hitter challenges traditional MVP voting biases against non-defensive players. Ohtani's loss highlights the risks of two-way play and the impact of injuries on elite performance.

What to watch

Crow-Armstrong and Alvarez are expected to be top MVP candidates in 2027, assuming a full season. The Dodgers are planning Ohtani's 2027 workload, potentially delaying his pitching ramp-up until the lockout ends. Crow-Armstrong's career trajectory will be watched for signs of the 'Mantle/Trout' route, where early peak performance is followed by a decline in the 30s.