Even though the Red Sox didn't snag the top spot in the American League MVP race this year, Boston fans still have reason to celebrate! Two of their star pitchers, Garrett Crochet and Aroldis Chapman, received MVP votes and were recognized with prestigious All-MLB honors at the annual MLB Awards show in Las Vegas.
Garrett Crochet, the Red Sox's ace and a close runner-up for the Cy Young Award, made a significant impact, finishing eighth in the MVP voting. And this is the part most people miss: it's incredibly rare for pitchers to be considered for MVP, which is usually dominated by power hitters. Crochet's impressive performance clearly turned heads!
But here's where it gets controversial... Some might argue that pitchers shouldn't even be in the MVP conversation at all, believing the award should solely recognize offensive contributions. What do you think? Should a pitcher's dominance on the mound be valued as highly as a batter's performance at the plate?
Aroldis Chapman, the team's dominant closer, tied for 18th in the MVP voting. Both Crochet and Chapman earned First-Team All-MLB honors, solidifying their status as elite players in the league. And Chapman achieved an even greater individual accomplishment: he was named the Mariano Rivera American League Reliever of the Year for the second time in his career! He previously won the award in 2019 while pitching for the New York Yankees. This makes him one of the few players to win the award with multiple teams.
No other Red Sox players received All-MLB honors or awards at the show. Shortstop Trevor Story was a potential contender for the American League Comeback Player of the Year, but the award ultimately went to Texas Rangers starter Jacob deGrom, who overcame significant injury challenges to return to form.
Let's break down the MVP voting a little more. Crochet received a diverse range of votes, including one fifth-place vote, four sixth-place votes, five seventh-place votes, six eighth-place votes, four ninth-place votes, and two tenth-place votes from the 30 official voters. Chapman received a single tenth-place vote, tying him with Tampa Bay's Yandy Díaz and Oakland's Jacob Wilson.
Crochet and Chapman's recognition marks a significant moment for the Red Sox. They are the first Red Sox pitchers to receive MVP votes since Nathan Eovaldi back in 2021. Notably, Crochet's eighth-place finish is the highest for a Boston pitcher since the legendary Pedro Martinez finished fifth way back in 2000. That's over two decades!
Ultimately, the AL MVP award went to Yankees slugger Aaron Judge for the third time overall, and the second straight year. He secured 17 first-place votes. Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, following a remarkable 60-homer season, earned 13 first-place votes. Cleveland's José Ramírez, Kansas City's Bobby Witt Jr., and Detroit's Tarik Skubal rounded out the top five, showcasing the incredible talent across the American League.
What do you think about the MVP results? Were the right players recognized? And what does this mean for the Red Sox heading into next season? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
