For more than a century, the Most Valuable Player award has claimed to honor the player whose presence most directly shapes wins, stabilizes a roster, and elevates a team's ceiling. At least, that's what the name suggests. However, in recent years, MVP voting has steadily shifted towards a narrower interpretation: rewarding the most intimidating hitter with the best highlight-friendly offensive totals. And while elite offense certainly matters, this modern approach completely overlooks the layers of value that only certain positions, especially catchers, bring to a team.
This disconnect has become especially glaring when viewed through the lens of two seasons separated by 16 years: Joe Mauer's 2009 AL MVP campaign, and the model of value embodied in 2025 by Cal Raleigh.