An AL West pitcher just dropped a bomb on the Shohei Ohtani MVP debate, claiming the Los Angeles Dodgers wouldn’t “miss a beat” without their two-way superstar. That’s right, Mark Leiter Jr. of the Athletics laid out this scorching hot take, saying the Dodgers would be totally fine even if Ohtani wasn’t in their lineup or rotation. This isn’t just a casual opinion, folks; it’s a full-on defense of Pete Crow-Armstrong for NL MVP against Ohtani, and it’s got everyone talking.
Leiter Jr.’s Boldest Take of the Year
Leiter Jr. didn’t mince words, telling ESPN’s Jesse Rogers that the Dodgers wouldn’t lose a step without Ohtani. His argument? “One plays elite defense. The other doesn’t play the field. If you take Ohtani out of the rotation, they don’t miss a beat. And if you take him out of the lineup, I still don’t think they miss a beat,” Leiter said. Whoa, hold up a second! Talk about a take so hot it’s scorching the pavement! Leiter Jr. is out here saying the Dodgers would just shrug off losing that kind of talent? Seriously? We’re talking about one of, if not THE, best players in baseball. To claim a team would just shrug off losing that kind of talent, even a “superteam” like the Dodgers, that’s not just bold; it’s a completely wild, bordering on delusional, assertion. Leiter does have a point about the defensive value for Pete Crow-Armstrong, and that’s a huge reason PCA is legitimately in the MVP race, especially with Ohtani not returning to the mound yet this season. But to use the Dodgers’ perceived depth as a way to totally discredit Ohtani? That’s just a step too far.
The Dodgers’ “Depth” Isn’t What It Seems
The reality check for Leiter’s claim is pretty stark. While the Dodgers might have a deep pitching staff on paper, they definitely aren’t at full health right now. And the offense? Sure, they *could* operate at a top-tier level, but that’s not the current situation. Kyle Tucker is stuck in an all-time terrible slump, Will Smith is hurt, and other players just aren’t performing at their usual clip. In this scenario, Ohtani’s bat isn’t just “missed,” it’s absolutely crucial! Without him, the offense takes a serious hit. The Dodgers might’ve course-corrected with that Colorado Rockies series after dropping a few others, but they’re not exactly cruising right now. Ohtani is putting up Cy Young numbers to start the year with his bat, despite not pitching, and to suggest the team wouldn’t feel his absence is just ignoring reality.
What This Means for the NL MVP Race
This whole “Dodgers wouldn’t miss a beat” angle from Leiter Jr. as a way to discredit Ohtani’s MVP consideration is, frankly, ridiculous. Crow-Armstrong absolutely deserves to be in the MVP conversation, and he’s got a real shot at winning it over Ohtani thanks to his elite defense. But claiming the Dodgers’ roster construction is a reason to vote against Ohtani? That’s a lame way to decide the 2026 MVP, no matter how “stacked” a team is. The Dodgers might hold the NL West lead right now, but if Ohtani weren’t playing at all this season, there’s a serious chance the San Diego Padres or Arizona Diamondbacks would be breathing down their necks, making that division lead a whole lot closer. This debate is far from over, and it’s going to be a wild ride to see who takes home the hardware!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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