The 2023 MLB season is closing in the post-season. With this, every game has become important for the teams in a fight to make it big. Though, apart from the World Series run, multiple other competitions have come into consideration, including who will win the MVP. And in the American League, there are five players in contention. But all the projections have Shohei Ohtani as the potential winner, all thanks to his brilliant performances this season. But is there something more that the player has missed out on?

Winning the MVP award is the dream of any baseball player, especially after outstanding performances over the season, which Ohtani is a master of it. With him being projected as the front-runner to be crowned 2023 AL MVP season, it will fulfill his dream to do the double. But even after it, did Ohtani miss a bigger prize despite winning over reigning MVP Aaron Judge after his deal with Nike? Let’s analyze and find out an answer.

Shohei Ohtani Leads the Race to Win the AL MVP

During the past few seasons, Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge remained in competition for the MVP award. But things have become one-sided because of Judge’s absence and Ohtani’s skyrocketing performances. And all this has made him the favorite to win the AL MVP award. This season, Ohtani has 89 RBIs, with 43 HRs at an OPS of 1.071 and an average of 0.306. And while on the mound, he has ten wins and five losses while claiming 165 strikeouts at an ERA of 3.17.

Not only this, Ohtani also leads the WAR list of players with the highest WAR of 8.4, more than three points clear of the second-placed Marcus Semien. And according to bleacherreport.com, Ohtani presently has a 9.3 bWAR, between his 8.9 in 2021 and 9.6 past two seasons. Though it is a bit less than Aaron Judge‘s 10.6 mark during his MVP award win, Ohtani is doing great and should be winning this time out. But will it make his season worth it after Judge became of Michael Jordan’s legacy?

Is Ohtani’s Michael Jordan Roster Miss Impact His MVP Status

The fans expect Ohtani to win the MVP award. But after Nike did not sign him for the Air Jordan roster and chose his competitor, Aaron Judge, there are questions about his projected MVP win. Moreover, his current contract with New Balance, which is 40x smaller than Nike, adds to the question. But is the question worth it?

Undoubtedly, being associated with Michael Jordan is a big thing for every player. And when Ohtani being the baseball star missed it, there are conversations about a big opportunity missed. But this is untrue. Though it would make sense for Ohtani to join Nike, it does not undermine his contribution to the season. He has played like a soul of the Los Angeles Angels and is a universal fan favorite.

Read More:- Did Shohei Ohtani Ditch Michael Jordan’s $160,000,000,000 Company for a 40x Smaller Brand?

Because of it, his nonassociation with Nike does not make much impact. Moreover, with an expected contract of over 500 billion, Ohtani would become a brand itself. And his MVP win would end the debate of him losing out. Though given his face value, he is likely to be associated with Jordan later in the future. What are your thoughts on this presumption? Let us know them in the comments.

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