*This content was translated by AI.
Major League Baseball (MLB) superstar Shohei Ohtani (32, Los Angeles Dodgers) is expected to finally become the fifth MVP of his career.
MLB's official website MLB.com released a summary of the "one prediction for every club in 2026" of reporters in charge of 30 teams on the 1st (Korea time).
First, the Dodgers reporter predicted that Ohtani will hold the fifth MVP in his arms. The media said, "Even if it cannot be forever, it will be difficult to object to the fact that Ohtani is the most valuable player in big league history if both pitching and batting remain at the top level."
Ohtani was solely dedicated to hitters in 2024, the following year, due to elbow ligament joint surgery (Tommy John Surgery) he underwent in 2023. And Ohtani wrote a new history of 50 home runs and 50 steals for the first time in the major leagues in the 2024 season. In 159 games, he played a batting average of 0.310 (197 hits in 636 at-bats), 54 home runs, 38 doubles, seven triples, 134 runs with 130 RBIs, 162 strikeouts with 81 walks, a on-base percentage of 0.390 (4 failures), a slugging percentage of 0.646 and an OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) of 1.066. He ranked second in home runs, RBIs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and OPS in the National League.
In the 2025 season, he played in 158 games with a batting average of 0.282, 55 home runs, 102 RBIs, 20 steals, and 1.014 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS). He hit the mark of 50 home runs and 100 RBIs for two consecutive seasons. In addition, he proudly ranked No. 1 in the National League scoring category, No. 1 in the OPS, and No. 2 in the home run category. In particular, in June, he returned as a pitcher and resumed pitching and hitting. In the end, he took the mound in 14 games in the 2025 season as a pitcher, marking a 1-1 record and 2.87 ERA.
"With no signs of any decline in skills, Ohtani faced the 2026 offseason without a rehabilitation process following surgery for the first time since joining the Dodgers," the media said. "If he wins his fifth MVP, he will be one step closer to Barry Bonds' most wins (7 times)."
There was also a prospect for the San Diego Padres, where Song Sung-moon belongs. It was predicted that he would build the strongest bullpen in the Major League. The media said, "Robert Suarez, who qualified as a free agent (FA), left the team. However, Mason Miller will be able to replace him throughout the season. He also pointed out that Adrian Morehorn is the league's best left-hander bullpen weapon in name and reality. "If Jeremiah Estrada and Jason Adam join, the bullpen will be more overwhelming than any other team that has been remembered recently," he said.
The San Francisco Giants, where Lee Jung-hoo plays, are expected to receive the Cy Young Award for ace Logan Webb in the team. The media said, "Web has won votes in the Cy Young Award voting for the last four consecutive seasons. In the 2023 season, it reached the highest ranking of 2nd place. He may be ready to take another leap forward in the 2026 season and finally embrace the Cy Young he so longed for. Of course, it may not be easy to bring down Paul Skins (Pittsburgh Pirates), the winner of last year's National League Cy Young Award, from the throne. Still, Webb is a pitcher who always finds ways to improve. He is also one of the best starting pitchers in the league. He pointed out that he will pitch with strong motivation to strengthen his position.
In addition, as for the Toronto Blue Jays, who finished second in the World Series last year, it was predicted that they would have the best starting pitching staff. Toronto was joined by reserve FA Kevin Gausman and Shane Bieber's one-two punch after returning from elbow surgery, as well as Cody Ponce, who dominated the KBO league last year and returned to the U.S. In addition, Dylan Sheese also built a powerful starting lineup by wearing a Toronto uniform. Trey Yessevidge and Jose Berrios are also considered the strongest starters as they can join the starting lineup. The media noted that "variables are injuries."
An analysis was mentioned that the New York Yankees would win more than 95 games. Last year, Gerrit Cole's departure and bullpen turbulence overlapped, but he thought it was possible again this year because the Yankees had the most wins (94 wins) in the American League with their batting power. The Colorado Rockies, which had 119 losses last year, expected to change by recruiting a new pitching coach. The Arizona Diamondbacks predicted that they will return to the fall baseball stage. Nick Kurtz (Athletics), who received the Rookie of the Year award last year, was selected as the American League MVP candidate.
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*This content was translated by AI.
