Joel Sherman
The Yankees are eyeing a rare opportunity in the AL MVP and Rookie of the Year races. As of September 14, 2024, they could place two players in the top five for both awards. Aaron Judge and Juan Soto are strong contenders for the AL MVP, while Austin Wells is making a push for the Rookie of the Year.
Key takeaways:
- The Yankees may have two top-five MVP candidates.
- Austin Wells is a strong Rookie of the Year contender.
- This feat has only happened once since 1980.
- Yankees last appeared in the World Series in 2009.
Yankees Aim for Unprecedented Recognition in MVP and Rookie Awards
The New York Yankees are making headlines as they pursue a unique achievement in the AL MVP and Rookie of the Year races. Aaron Judge and Juan Soto are expected to finish among the top five for MVP, while Austin Wells is likely to join Luis Gil in the Rookie of the Year contention. This could mark the first time since 2007 that a team has two top-five finishers for both awards.
Historical Context of MVP and Rookie of the Year Awards
Since the expansion of the Rookie of the Year voting in 1980, only one team has had two players finish in the top five for both the MVP and Rookie of the Year awards. The Yankees achieved this in 2007 with Alex Rodriguez and others. Before 1980, it was more common for teams to have multiple top finishers, but the structure of the voting has changed significantly.
Current Contenders for the AL MVP and Rookie of the Year Awards
The current landscape for the AL MVP and Rookie of the Year awards is competitive. Here are the likely candidates:
- Aaron Judge – MVP
- Juan Soto – MVP
- Austin Wells – Rookie of the Year
- Luis Gil – Rookie of the Year
As the Yankees continue to push for excellence, their players’ performances could lead to significant recognition in the upcoming awards season.
