Shohei Ohtani wins second MVP amid what could be record-breaking free agency

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The heavy spring training favorite to win the American League Most Valuable Player Award is taking home hardware again.

Shohei Ohtani on Thursday won his second AL MVP Award in the last three years. Corey Seager and Marcus Semien of the Texas Rangers finished second and third, respectively. It was a unanimous vote, making Ohtani the first to win two MVP nods in such a fashion.

Ohtani led the majors in 2023 with a .654 slugging percentage and 1.066 OPS; his .412 on-base percentage was second; his 44 homers were fourth; and his .304 average was ranked ninth. That alone is an MVP-caliber player.

But Ohtani is also an All-Star caliber pitcher.

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Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani celebrates after striking out the Houston Astros' J.J. Matijevic during the game at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California, on July 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

The right-hander owned a 3.14 ERA and struck out 11.4 batters per nine innings. Among pitchers who threw 130.0 innings, his ERA was the ninth-lowest in MLB and his K/9 was sixth. Among AL pitchers with that number of innings, he ranked fifth and third, respectively. His 10 WAR, by far, led the majors; Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts' 8.3 was second.

Ohtani became the 33rd player to win multiple MVPs, and if it weren't for New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge's race for the Triple Crown while topping Roger Maris for the most home runs in a single season by an American League player in 2022, Ohtani would be winning his third consecutive MVP.

It's just another accolade on his insane résumé, as Ohtani is now likely the most