Nick Castellanos Sparks Debate: Jose Iglesias Deserved NL MVP Over Shohei Ohtani
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Nick Castellanos has ignited a firestorm of debate by claiming that Jose Iglesias, not Shohei Ohtani, should have won the National League MVP. Castellanos’ comments challenge the unanimous decision that crowned Ohtani MVP after a historic season. While Ohtani’s unparalleled talent is undeniable, Castellanos believes Iglesias’ impact on the Mets outweighs Ohtani’s individual brilliance.
Jose Iglesias: The Catalyst for Mets’ Resurgence
Castellanos passionately defended his former Tigers teammate, emphasizing Iglesias’ influence in turning the Mets’ season around.
“If you’re looking at the MVP as having the most weight on creating wins for your team, there’s no other player that has had that much weight as Jose Iglesias,” Castellanos said.
Iglesias, at 35 years old, didn’t have the flashiest stats. He posted a .337 batting average, hit just four home runs, and played in only 85 games. But Castellanos argues that numbers don’t tell the whole story. Iglesias’ leadership and energy transformed a struggling Mets squad into a playoff contender.
“With him being able to come in and bring that Latin spark, knocked the ice off of [Francisco] Lindor, finally got [Mark] Vientos comfortable to be able to be an everyday third baseman.”
The Mets, plagued by inconsistency and skepticism early in the season, clinched a wild-card berth with an 89-73 record. Castellanos attributes much of this success to Iglesias’ presence, describing him as the heart of the team’s turnaround.
Shohei Ohtani: A Superstar Beyond Compare
Despite his support for Iglesias, Castellanos made it clear that Ohtani is in a league of his own when it comes to raw talent.
“If I’m starting a team, I pick Shohei over Jose. There’s no doubt about it. I’m not stupid,” he admitted.
Ohtani’s 2024 season was nothing short of legendary. The 30-year-old became the first member of MLB’s 50/50 club, smashing 54 home runs (second-most in MLB) and maintaining a .310 batting average (fifth-best in MLB). His contributions helped the Dodgers secure the best record in the NL at 98-64, and his accolades include signing a record-breaking 10-year, $700 million contract with the team.
However, Ohtani’s MVP win wasn’t just about his offense. Before elbow surgery sidelined him from pitching, he was the ace of the Angels, demonstrating his unique two-way dominance. He earned unanimous MVP honors for the third time in four years, solidifying his status as one of baseball’s all-time greats.
The Heart of the Debate: What Defines Value?
Castellanos’ argument boils down to how value is defined in the MVP award. Is it about individual excellence, or is it about the player who makes the biggest difference for their team? For Castellanos, it’s the latter.
“The way I look at baseball, Jose Iglesias is [the] unanimous National League MVP.”
This perspective is controversial because it challenges the traditional metrics that often favor players like Ohtani, who deliver jaw-dropping individual performances. Castellanos questions whether Ohtani’s contributions, as remarkable as they are, carried the same weight for the Dodgers as Iglesias’ leadership did for the Mets.
He even implied that the Dodgers’ success wasn’t solely dependent on Ohtani:
“Shohei Ohtani played a huge part in the Dodgers winning. I don’t know if he’s the sole purpose of the Dodgers moving in one direction.”
In contrast, Iglesias’ role in the Mets’ success was more personal and direct. He didn’t just put up numbers; he changed the team’s culture and instilled confidence in his teammates. Castellanos sees this as the true essence of value.
Numbers vs. Intangibles
Statistically, the comparison between Iglesias and Ohtani seems lopsided. Ohtani’s 423 MVP points dwarfed Iglesias’ performance, which didn’t even place him in serious contention. Francisco Lindor, Iglesias’ teammate, finished second in the MVP voting with 263 points, further highlighting how overlooked Iglesias was.
Yet Castellanos’ argument isn’t about raw stats. It’s about intangibles: leadership, inspiration, and the ability to elevate teammates. These qualities, while harder to quantify, are often the difference-makers in a team’s success.
Public Reaction: A Polarizing Take
Castellanos’ comments have sparked intense reactions from fans, analysts, and players alike. Supporters of Ohtani argue that his unprecedented achievements make him the clear choice, regardless of team context. They point out that his three unanimous MVP wins in four years speak to his consistent dominance.
On the other hand, Castellanos’ perspective has resonated with those who value team impact over individual stats. Many believe his critique highlights a flaw in the MVP voting system, which often prioritizes standout performances over contributions that are harder to measure.
What Does This Mean for the MVP Debate?
The controversy raises an important question: Should the MVP award be redefined to better recognize players like Iglesias, whose impact transcends the stat sheet? Or does Ohtani’s dominance make this discussion moot?
As baseball continues to evolve, so too will the criteria for awards like MVP. For now, Castellanos’ bold take ensures one thing: the debate over what makes a player “most valuable” is far from settled.
