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A fiery take from an MLB analyst ahead of the 2025 American League MVP announcement has sparked a social media firestorm after the analyst argued Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, by virtue of his defensive workload and fielding percentage, deserves the MVP award over New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge, while going so far as to call the right field position "the easiest, most worthless position on the field."
During the segment, the analyst said that if Judge wins MVP, the award should be considered to be redefined:
"If Cal Raleigh doesn’t win the MVP on Thursday night, the MVP needs to be the Hank Aaron Award," an MLB analyst said. "Give it to the best offensive player because who gives a s**t about anything else?"
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MLB analyst cited Raleigh’s defensive workload and fielding percentage, contrasting it with Judge’s offensive-heavy profile and positional value, before adding,
"If Aaron Judge wins the award, f**k the MVP award for the rest of all time."
That comparison and the jab at Judge’s position didn’t sit well with fans, particularly in New York.
"You just don’t like the Yankees," one fan said.
"This makes sense if you don’t understand baseball," another fan wrote.
"Now try to explain Ohtani over Lindor last year… yes I’m still😭 over that 🐂💩," a fan commented.
"Cry harder, Judge is MVP and it’s not close," another fan wrote.
"Anyone who says Judge, clearly knows nothing about baseball," a fan said.
"😂 MVP Judge. What’s so hard about squatting and catching balls," another fan tweeted.
Cal Raleigh calls Mariners’ 2025 season a 'failure' despite MVP finalist finish
While the debate over the 2025 AL MVP Award continues to dominate headlines, Cal Raleigh has kept the focus on unfinished business. Speaking to reporters shortly after the Mariners’ postseason exit, the 27-year-old catcher offered a brutally honest reflection on the team’s campaign.
"I’m super proud of these guys," Raleigh told reporters. "But ultimately, it’s not what we wanted. I hate to use the word failure, but it’s a failure."
Raleigh capped off a career-best season in which he hit 60 home runs, drove in 125 RBIs, and anchored Seattle’s pitching staff behind the plate. He also earned his first Silver Slugger Award, solidifying his place among the game’s elite catchers.
Despite the personal accolades, Raleigh's tone did not seem like a player satisfied with an individual accomplishment. Since then, his comments have become widely praised for their honesty, a reminder of the competitive quality that allowed him to become one of the breakout stars of baseball in 2025.
