Mets' Juan Soto sends MVP warning to Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani

In the eyes of some, Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers has essentially emerged as the uncrowned National League Most Valuable Player for each season until further notice.

This is due to his accomplishments as a two-way superstar and because he features for a club that has won back-to-back World Series titles and may still be in the early days of a dynastic run. 

The greatness of both Ohtani and the Dodgers isn't stopping New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto from calling his shot regarding the MVP race for the 2026 season.

Juan Soto "coming" for Shohei Ohtani's MVP crown

"I’m going to be there every year, too," Soto recently said about keeping up with Ohtani in the battle for MVP Award honors, per Anthony DiComo of the MLB website. "So he better keep doing what he’s doing, because I’m coming."

Soto finished third in NL MVP voting for the 2025 campaign, his first with the Mets, after he slashed .263/.396/.525 with 43 home runs, 105 RBI and a .921 OPS over 160 games. To compare, Ohtani posted a .282/.392/.622 slash line with 55 homers, 102 RBI and an NL-best 1.014 OPS in 158 games as a hitter. Unlike Soto, Ohtani also posted a 2.87 ERA in 14 starts from the bump for the reigning World Series champions last season. 

"He’s really good," Soto admitted about Ohtani. "He’s really good. I’ve just got to beat him. Definitely, it’s not going to be easy, but I’ve got to find a way to beat him." 

Juan Soto has big goals for improving during second season with Mets

Neither Soto nor any other outfield player can match what Ohtani offers the Dodgers as an all-around talent. Additionally, Soto's MVP resume last season was likely impacted by the Mets' epic collapse that ended with the club missing the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Dodgers may be better today than they were during the previous two Fall Classics. 

"I feel like in every standpoint," Soto said about how he wants to improve offensively for a Mets team that said goodbye to slugger Pete Alonso, outfielder Brandon Nimmo and star closer Edwin Diaz this offseason. "...I try to bring the average a little bit higher, maybe. When you see seasons like guys in the past have had, you tell yourself you have to be up there to be one of the greatest. That’s what we’re trying to do every year."

Soto may have to produce one of the greatest offensive seasons in Mets history to replace Ohtani as the NL MVP later this year.