10 stars still due for their first MVP Award

Here’s an interesting quirk of this year’s MVP Awards: Both winners already had earned the honor in the past. That’s only the second time that’s happened since the Baseball Writers’ Association of America began voting in 1931; the other was in 1955, when Yogi Berra and Roy Campanella both won their third.

While that’s great for Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani, that means a whole bunch of great players who have never won MVP are still searching. Those two are hogging the loot!

• All-time MVP Award winners

As we turn the page on the 2024 MVP race, let’s take a look at the best active players who have never been named MVP but still have a chance to do so. These are guys who have come close, guys whose careers may feel a little incomplete without one. (We’re setting a minimum of five MLB seasons played here, although younger stars such as Gunnar Henderson, Julio Rodríguez and Bobby Witt Jr. obviously have future MVP hopes as well.)

The best player never to win an MVP may be Derek Jeter, or possibly Tony Gwynn. But some of these 10 players, if they never get one, could stand right beside them. (Players below are listed in alphabetical order.)

Yordan Alvarez, Astros
Best finish: 3rd (2022)
He has always been held back a little by the fact that he’s primarily a DH, though, obviously, that didn’t stop Ohtani this year. On one hand, if Alvarez didn’t break through in 2022 -- when he had a 1.091 OPS and finished third -- it’s going to be hard for him to ever do so. On the other hand … he’s still only 27.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays
Best finish: 2nd (2021)
Guerrero would have won in 2021 had it been any season in which Ohtani wasn’t a dominant pitcher and a dominant hitter at the same time. But after a couple of years of Vlad Jr. falling short of the standard he set that season, he returned to his previous form in 2024. If this is who he is moving forward -- and he’s still only 25, remember -- he’ll definitely get himself one of these at some point.

Francisco Lindor, Mets
Best finish: 2nd (2024)
Lindor was the beating heart of the 2024 Mets, whose fanbase, after some early tumult, now fully embraces him. And how could they not? His infectious spirit raises all clubhouse boats, and he’ll be the stabilizing force for a team that seems poised to add a whole bunch of talent around him. Shockingly, he hasn’t made an All-Star Game since 2019. How is that possible?

Manny Machado, Padres
Best finish: 2nd (2022)
Machado is well on his way to a Hall of Fame career (500 homers and 3,000 hits are things that are on the table for him), but he is perhaps known more for excellent consistency than having one incredible, singular season. He’s still at an age (32) when he can have one, though. Being healthy -- which he wasn’t early in 2024 -- can only help.

Ketel Marte, Diamondbacks
Best finish: 3rd (2024)
Forever underappreciated, Marte had the best year of his career right after having an outstanding 2023 postseason that led his team to the World Series. If Arizona continues to overachieve, he’ll be the reason why, and eventually, everyone will notice.

José Ramírez, Guardians
Best finish: 2nd (2020)
Let’s face it: Ramírez, rather than José Abreu, probably should have gotten the MVP in 2020. Alas, Ramírez remains the bridesmaid: He has now finished in the top 10 in seven of the past eight seasons. The Guardians would be absolutely lost without him.

Corey Seager, Rangers
Best finish: 2nd (2023)
He took a step backward in 2024, and while injuries were a part of that, it should be noted that he played in more games (123) than he did in 2023 (119), when he finished second in the AL race. Still, Seager is only 30, and don’t forget: His trophy case is already stacked, thanks to a Rookie of the Year win, three Silver Sluggers, an NLCS MVP, two World Series MVPs and two World Series rings.

Juan Soto, free agent
Best finish: 2nd (2021)
We’ve all been saying “Soto is going to win an MVP any day now” for roughly a half-decade, and he still hasn’t done it. He still might be the next Ted Williams, so obviously one is coming, no matter which uniform he ends up wearing when it happens. Like Teddy Ballgame, I bet he ends up winning more than one, all told.

Fernando Tatis Jr., Padres
Best finish: 3rd (2021)
In 2021, it looked like Tatis was going to win many MVPs. Now … it’s not so certain. But he has certainly rebounded from a rocky stretch post-suspension, and while his numbers aren’t back to where they were before, they are climbing in that direction. And he remains only 25.

Kyle Tucker, Astros
Best finish: 5th (2023)
Tucker only played 78 games in 2024, but had he been able to stay healthy and stretch out his actual numbers over a full season, he might have been at least an MVP finalist. The 27-year-old is entering his prime right now and, don’t forget, is a free agent after next season. The time for him to make the leap is almost certainly right now.