BTS of the Aaron Judge vs Cal Raleigh AL MVP debate, one slugger is quietly making a great case. The seven-time All-Star player from Cleveland is now a hot topic for insiders.

It’s the $141M star of the Cleveland Guardians, Jose Ramirez, who signed a 7-year extension deal with the franchise through 2028. Aaron Judge has captured attention with his 49 home runs for the Yankees, while Cal Raleigh has made history with 57 homers as a catcher for the Mariners. But the 33-year-old offers a different case, as he carries the entire offensive load for the Cleveland Guardians. Earlier this season, he became the first third baseman in franchise history to tally 250 HR and 250 stolen bases. Plus, his 30th home run of the season on September 20, 2025, made him the first player in Guardians history to have three 30-30 seasons. And people in the league are talking about it.

Tom Hamilton said it pretty plainly on the MLB Network. “When your best player is a future Hall of Famer and plays the game harder than anybody in the game and is arguably the smartest player in Major League Baseball … then that sets the tone for how everybody else is going to play the game.” He added, “No one’s talking about José for most valuable player award … What he has done is historical … But without José Ramírez, you know, right now you’re not talking to me.”

And here’s where it gets even more interesting.

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Eduardo Perez called Ramirez “The most irreplaceable player for his team in baseball” back in March. And the numbers back it up.

He was the only Guardian in 2025 to hit more than 20 home runs; no other player on his team did. No Guardian has had an OPS over .900 this season, except for the time when they were the Bob Feller Man of the Year in 2021. The consistency factor? He played an average of 141 games, hit 27 home runs, stole 25 bases, and drove in 94 runs each season from 2016 to 2024.

Recently, against the Tigers, he hit a two-run home run in the seventh inning that gave Cleveland the lead and a win by 1-3. These aren’t just flukes; they’re swings that matter at the end of the game.

And as Paul Hoynes said on a podcast, “What I like about José is you ask him, are you nervous? … He goes, ‘No, I’ve been in that situation so many times. I’m calm. I’m just looking for a pitch to hit’ … I really believe what Ramírez says in that situation, because he’s been in that situation countless times.”

Now, the AL MVP race shows three different values: Aaron Judge’s power keeping the Yankees’ championship aspirations alive, Raleigh’s unprecedented catcher output helping Seattle’s rise, and Ramirez’s full offensive responsibility for Cleveland’s playoff drive. With all three making a strong case, it will be interesting to see who wins.

And amid all the fuss, Ramirez just made yet another history for his franchise.

Rare company: Joining Alfonso Soriano in an elite MLB club

The Guardians have won eight games in a row, and they aren’t simply playing for pride. They’ve put themselves right back in the running for the AL Central title. In August, they were behind Detroit by 10.5 games at one time. Now, as Saturday approaches, they are only 2.5 games behind. That turnaround has been amazing.

The offense comes in, especially their star player, Ramirez. When he showed up for his 150th game of 2025, he set the tone. First time at bat in Minnesota: A home run. Not just any, but his 30th of the year. That home run put him into an elite club.

Two years in a row with 30 or more home runs, 30 or more doubles, and 40 or more stolen bases. He had already gotten 31 doubles and 40 thefts at that point. Ramirez had 39 doubles, 39 home runs, and 41 steals last year. So far, he is only the fourth player in big league history to have more than one 30/40 season. Bobby Bonds has done it four times, and Alfonso Soriano has done it twice.

“I’m very proud and happy to be compared to those players, because they are some of the best in the sport,” said Ramirez on his achievement.

Cleveland’s rise isn’t just because of momentum; it’s because they have strength and flexibility. This All-Star is making a difference with every swing and every stolen base. So, with the playoff looming and the AL MVP race getting hot, who do you think is best?