Anticipating the MVP Winners Announcement and Non-Tender Deadline in MLB
ICARO Media Group
**MVP Winners Announcement, Non-Tender Deadline, and Key MLB Moves to Watch**
As the baseball season draws to a close, key developments are set to unfold today and tomorrow, shaping the course of teams and players alike.
This evening at 5pm CT, the much-anticipated MVP awards for both the American and National Leagues will be announced. In the AL, Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge is widely expected to clinch the award following a season that outstripped his stellar 2022 performance, notably achieving a wRC+ of 218 and an fWAR of 11.2. Despite commendable seasons from Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. and free agent Juan Soto, Judge's impressive .322/.458/.701 slash line, along with 58 home runs, 122 runs scored, and 144 RBIs, make him the runaway favorite.
On the NL side, what began as a competitive race transformed decisively in favor of Shohei Ohtani, who not only wowed with a historic 50-50 season but also finished with 54 homers and 59 stolen bases, boasting a .310/.390/.646 slash line. Should Ohtani secure the MVP over finalists Francisco Lindor and Ketel Marte, he would become the first full-time designated hitter in MLB history to win the prestigious award.
With the non-tender deadline approaching swiftly, Major League Baseball is buzzing with anticipation over potential pre-tender agreements. One such deal was struck between the Oakland A's and Seth Brown, who agreed to a one-year, $2.7 million contract, a substantial reduction from Matt Swartz's arbitration projection of $3.8 million. These proactive agreements often provide players with the security of a roster spot as opposed to facing a crowded free agent market.
In line with this, MLBTR is set to release a list of non-tender candidates today, outlining players who may be released ahead of the deadline due to various factors such as projected arbitration costs, performance, injuries, or the financial situations of their teams. Players on this list might still negotiate pre-tender deals or face trades as teams make their final decisions before tomorrow afternoon’s deadline. The baseball community keenly awaits this list, knowing it could signal significant shifts in team rosters and player careers.