With MLB’s award season underway, here’s a look back at the last time each MLB team had a player win an MVP award.
With the 2025 MLB season officially in the rearview mirror, a plethora of awards are being handed out to the year’s top performers, culminating with the announcement of the MVP winners on Nov. 12.
The lone North American professional sports league that names two MVPs (one for both the American League and National League), the races attract significant attention each year as the award provides perhaps the biggest individual boost a player can receive for their regular season legacy and Hall of Fame resume.
While the MVP awards explicitly do not factor in any postseason results, a team’s overall record and whether they qualify for the postseason or not is often considered for an award that is meant to be given to the player that is most valuable to their team.
The 2025 awards likely won’t bring too much drama in this sense, with both Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge likely to repeat as MVP winners, though Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh is likely to receive heavy consideration after a historic 60-homer campaign.
As this year’s awards are likely to once again represent the league’s two most recognizable teams in the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers, several other franchises have gone years without having an MVP winner. The Tampa Bay Rays and Arizona Diamondbacks, both 1998 expansion clubs, have yet to produce an MVP award, as have the New York Mets, who were established in 1962.
With Ohtani and Judge likely to repeat as MVPs and add another accolade to the expansive trophy collections of the Dodgers and Yankees, here’s a look at the last time all the other teams boasted an MVP winner:
1. Atlanta Braves, Ronald Acuña Jr., RF (2023)
One of the most impressive offensive seasons in recent memory, Acuña made history in 2023 with the league’s first-ever 40-70 season, smacking 41 home runs alongside an MLB-best 73 stolen bases.
The star outfielder led all of baseball with 149 runs and 217 hits, with his .416 OBP and 383 total bases also serving as the finest in all of MLB. In addition to a unanimous victory for the award, Acuña was also named an All-Star and won a Silver Slugger Award.
Acuña’s 2023 win is one of two MVPs for Braves players since the dawn of the new millennium, with Freddie Freeman winning the award in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.
2. Los Angeles Angels, Shohei Ohtani, P/DH (2023)
Before winning the 2024 NL MVP award as a pure designated hitter, Ohtani won the AL MVP in his final year with the Angels while playing as both a pitcher and DH.
The phenom produced a 10 WAR season, combining 44 home runs, 20 stolen bases and a 1.066 OPS with a 10-5 record and 3.14 ERA alongside 167 strikeouts in 132 innings.
The win marked Ohtani’s second AL MVP win, also winning the award in 2021. The Angels, while seemingly immune to playoff success, have not come up short with MVP awards in the 2000s, having won six.
In addition to Ohtani’s wins in 2021 and 2023, franchise icon Mike Trout was named the AL MVP in 2014, 2016 and 2019, while Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero won the award in his first year with the Angels in 2004.
3. St. Louis Cardinals, Paul Goldschmidt, 1B (2022)
In a year where the Cardinals notched two of the top three NL MVP finishers thanks to a stellar season from Nolan Arenado, it was Goldschmidt who emerged as the winner of the coveted award, avenging second-place finishes as a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2013 and 2015.
Goldschmidt posted 7.7 WAR in 2022, with 41 doubles, 35 home runs and an NL-best .577 slugging percentage, .981 OPS and 177 OPS+, amassing an All-Star appearance and Silver Slugger Award along with the MVP.
Goldschmidt’s win was the fourth by a Cardinal since 2000, with all-time great Albert Pujols winning the award in 2005, 2008 and 2009.
4. Philadelphia Phillies, Bryce Harper, RF (2021)
The second MVP award of Harper’s career, the slugger led all of baseball with 42 doubles, a .615 slugging percentage, 1.044 OPS and 179 OPS+.
Though Harper was a below-replacement level defender in 2021 and didn’t even make the All-Star team, Harper’s offensive output was widely unmatched across both the AL and NL, contributing to his win of the award despite a relatively low 5.9 WAR for an MVP winner.
The Phillies have notched two other MVP wins since the turn of the century, with Ryan Howard and Chase Utley winning in back-to-back seasons in 2006 and 2007, respectively.
5. Chicago White Sox, José Abreu, 1B (2020)
Known for his nine seasons as a slugger for the White Sox, Abreu condensed his best output into the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, amassing monster numbers en route to a playoff berth and MVP win.
Playing in all 60 games, Abreu led the AL with 76 hits and a .617 slugging percentage, while leading all of MLB with 60 RBI and 148 total bases. The monstrous season also won Abreu a Silver Slugger Award in a season in which there was no All-Star Game.
Abreu’s win was the White Sox’s first MVP award of the 21st century, with the most recent wins prior to Abreu coming in 1993 and 1994, when Frank Thomas won back-to-back MVPs.
6. Boston Red Sox, Mookie Betts, RF (2018)
One of the most impressive campaigns in recent MLB history, Betts posted an otherworldly 10.7 WAR for the 108-win Red Sox that went on to win the World Series.
The then-25-year-old superstar led all of baseball with 129 runs, a .346 batting average and .640 slugging percentage. Betts amassed 47 doubles, five triples and 32 home runs over the course of the season while also providing excellent defensive value.
Betts was also named to the All-Star team and won a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger for his excellent 2018 output. The win was Boston’s second MVP of the 21st century, with Dustin Pedroia winning the award in 2008.
7. Milwaukee Brewers, Christian Yelich, LF/RF (2018)
Christian Yelich stormed out of the gate with a vengeance in his first season with Milwaukee, leading the NL with 7.3 WAR, a .326 batting average, .598 slugging percentage and 1.000 OPS en route to an NL MVP award and division title.
Yelich also made his first All-Star team in 2018 and won the second Silver Slugger award of his career, ultimately leading the Brewers to Game 7 of the NLCS.
Yelich was the second Milwaukee MVP since 2000, with former franchise cornerstone Ryan Braun taking home the honor in 2011.
8. Houston Astros, Jose Altuve, 2B (2017)
Already regarded as a star and franchise player, Altuve emerged as one of the game’s best all-around hitters in 2017, leading all of baseball with 8.1 WAR on a team that eventually went on to win the World Series (albeit, controversially).
Altuve managed 24 home runs and 31 stolen bases to go alongside an AL-best 204 hits and the league’s best batting average at a mark of .346. In addition to the MVP award, Altuve won his fourth Silver Slugger Award and was named to the All-Star team.
Altuve remains the only Astro to have won the MVP award since 2000, with Jeff Bagwell’s 1994 win in the National League marking the most recent MVP win for Houston prior to Altuve.
9. Miami Marlins, Giancarlo Stanton, RF (2017)
Though it came for a club that ultimately finished 77-85, Stanton was an absolute machine in his final year with the Marlins en route to the only MVP award of his career.
The active leader in home runs led all of baseball with 59 jacks and 132 RBI in 2017, with his .631 slugging percentage and 169 OPS+ standing out as the best in the NL.
Stanton was named to his fourth All-Star team and won the second Silver Slugger Award of his career in 2017, leading the NL with 8.1 WAR. He remains the only Marlin to win the award in franchise history.
10. Chicago Cubs, Kris Bryant, 3B/LF (2016)
En route to snapping a 108-year championship drought, Kris Bryant was the NL’s definitive offensive player in 2016, leading the senior circuit with 7.3 WAR and 121 runs for a team that went on to win 103 games.
In addition to positive defensive output at a multitude of positions, Bryant posted 35 doubles, three triples and 39 home runs while managing a .939 OPS and 146 OPS+. Though Bryant lost out on a Silver Slugger Award to Colorado’s Nolan Arenado, Bryant was named to his second All-Star team in addition to the MVP win.
Bryant is the only Cub to have won the award since 2000, with Sammy Sosa’s 1998 win being the most recent before Bryant.
11. Toronto Blue Jays, Josh Donaldson, 3B (2015)
His first season north of the border, Donaldson immediately excelled with the Blue Jays in 2015, posting an MLB-best 122 runs and AL-leading 123 RBI while leading the team to their first playoff berth in 22 years.
Donaldson hit 41 doubles and 41 home runs, amounting to a stellar .939 OPS and 151 OPS+, paving the way to his second All-Star appearance and first Silver Slugger Award.
Donaldson is the only Blue Jay to win the award this century and just the second all-time, following George Bell’s AL MVP win in 1987.
12. Washington Nationals, Bryce Harper, RF (2015)
The first of Harper’s two MVP awards, this one left little up for debate as Harper was clearly the NL’s premier hitter throughout the course of the season.
Though the Nationals themselves underperformed with an 83-79 record, Harper led all of baseball with 9.7 WAR, a 1.109 OPS and 198 OPS+, leading the senior circuit with 118 runs and 42 home runs. Harper’s patience at the plate also produced an MLB-best .460 OBP, giving fans a taste of Barry Bonds more than a decade after his prime.
Even including the history of the Montreal Expos, Harper’s 2015 season remains the only MVP-winning campaign in franchise history.
13. Detroit Tigers, Miguel Cabrera, 3B (2013)
The second of two straight MVP awards for Miguel Cabrera, one of the generation’s premier hitters amassed a career-defining campaign in 2013.
Cabrera’s ridiculous slash line of .348/.442/.636/1.078 had the slugger leading all of MLB in all four statistical categories, with a 190 OPS+ leaving him untouched as baseball’s most feared hitter in 2013 as he somehow successfully followed up a Triple Crown season. Miggy finished the year with 44 home runs and 137 RBI, making the All-Star team and winning a Silver Slugger Award.
Cabrera’s win was the third-straight Tigers MVP win, following Miggy’s 2012 season and Justin Verlander’s historic 2011 campaign.
14. Pittsburgh Pirates, Andrew McCutchen, CF (2013)
In the middle of a four-year stretch that saw McCutchen maintain his place as one of baseball’s elite hitters, the Pirates franchise cornerstone put up a remarkable campaign that drove Pittsburgh back the playoffs for the first time in 21 years.
McCutchen led all of the NL with 7.8 WAR, posting 38 doubles, five triples and 21 home runs to go along with 27 stolen bases and a .317/.404/.508/.911 slash line. McCutchen made his third All-Star game and won his second Silver Slugger Award for his 2013 efforts.
McCutchen remains the only Pirate to have won the MVP in the 21st century, with his win marking the first for the franchise since Barry Bonds won the award in 1992.
15. San Francisco Giants, Buster Posey, C (2012)
After missing much of the 2011 campaign with injury, Posey picked right where he left off from his 2010 NL Rookie of the Year campaign, putting together an incredible offensive season en route to an eventual World Series title for the Giants.
Posey led the NL with 7.6 WAR while posting the best batting average and OPS+ in all of baseball at .336 and 171, respectively. He finished the year with 39 doubles, 24 home runs and 103 RBI, picking up his first All-Star appearance and Silver Slugger Award along with the MVP.
Posey’s win came a decade after San Francisco dominance with the NL MVP award, as the Giants started off the 2000’s with five consecutive wins (Jeff Kent in 2000, Barry Bonds 2001-04).
16. Texas Rangers, Josh Hamilton, LF/CF (2010)
Two years after breaking out as a premier slugger in a late start to the former first overall pick’s career, Hamilton put the pieces together for a remarkably complete season in 2010.
Combining the best of elite power and contact, Hamilton led all of baseball with 8.7 WAR, smacking 40 doubles and 32 home runs alongside an MLB-best .359 batting average, .633 slugging percentage and 1.044 OPS. The monstrous numbers led to Hamilton making his third-straight All-Star game, winning his second Silver Slugger along with the MVP after the season.
Hamilton was the second Ranger to win an MVP in the 21st century, following Álex Rodríguez’s incredible final season with Texas in 2003.
17. Cincinnati Reds, Joey Votto, 1B (2010)
Though Votto was a perennial MVP contender who finished in the top 10 six times in his career, 2010 marked his lone win as he led the Reds back to the postseason for the first time in 15 years.
Votto emerged as the game’s biggest on-base threat while also providing elite contact and power, hitting 36 doubles and 37 home runs alongside a slash line of .324/.424/.600/1.024. Votto’s .424 OBP led all of baseball while the slugger also managed a career-high 16 stolen bases. Although Votto lost out to Albert Pujols for the Silver Slugger Award, he did make his first All-Star team in 2010.
Votto remains the only Red to have won the award since 2000, and the first Red since Barry Larkin in 1995 to take home the accolade.
18. Minnesota Twins, Joe Mauer, C (2009)
Now a Hall of Famer, Joe Mauer showcased what made him one of the greatest catchers of his generation all in 2009, perhaps one of the most impressive offensive seasons from a catcher of all-time.
Though it may not be the 60 home runs from the Big Dumper this year, Mauer posted an insane slash line of .365/.444/.587/1.031, leading the AL in all four categories while leading all of baseball in batting average and OBP. The incredible production was boosted by 30 doubles and 28 home runs, with Mauer also managing 76 walks to just 63 strikeouts, making him perhaps the toughest out in the league in 2009.
Mauer was the second Twin of the 2000s to win the award, with his victory coming three years after Justin Morneau took home the honor in 2006.
19. Athletics, Miguel Tejada, SS (2002)
One of the more forgotten MVPs in relatively recent memory, Tejada was the cornerstone of the Moneyball A’s offense, putting up 204 hits, 34 home runs and 131 RBI in an incredibly productive offensive campaign.
Playing all 162 games, Tejada slashed .308/.354/.508/.861 and was incredibly consistent throughout the season, never posting a monthly OPS below .807.
Though Tejada did not win a Silver Slugger Award as he was passed up in favor of Álex Rodríguez, he did make his first of six All-Star Games in his 16-year career.
20. Seattle Mariners, Ichiro Suzuki, RF (2001)
While Cal Raleigh certainly has an outside chance to break this drought, it’s been since Ichiro Suzuki’s rookie season with the 116-win Mariners that a Seattle player has taken home an MVP award.
Arriving stateside and immediately posting a 7.7 WAR, Ichiro led all of baseball with 242 hits and 56 stolen bases, with his .350 batting average leading all AL hitters. The emergence came with incredible defense in right field, with Ichiro posting 1.0 defensive WAR in his rookie campaign as well.
Ichiro remains the most recent player to have won an MVP and Rookie of the Year Award in the same season, with an All-Star Game, Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Award among the other accolades for his 2001 campaign.
21. Colorado Rockies, Larry Walker, RF (1997)
The lone Rockies player to win an MVP award, Walker cemented his Hall of Fame legacy with a sensational 1997 season for a team that merely finished 83-79.
Walker posted an MLB-best 9.8 WAR, leading the NL with 49 home runs and a .452 OBP. Walker’s .720 slugging percentage and 1.172 OPS were the best in all of baseball, as were his video game-like 409 total bases.
Walker’s gargantuan season was also recognized with his second All-Star appearance, third Gold Glove and second Silver Slugger. He eventually retired having made five All-Star teams with seven Gold Gloves and three Silver Sluggers.
22. San Diego Padres, Ken Caminiti, 3B (1996)
A veteran with an impressive 15-year career, the late Caminiti had a distinguished peak with his 1996 season, posting incredibly complete offensive numbers that led the Friars back to the playoffs for the first time since their 1984 run to the World Series.
Though Caminiti didn’t lead the league in any major offensive categories, he was near the top in just about all of them – the slugger managed 109 runs, 37 doubles, 40 home runs and 130 RBI to go with a .326/.408/.621/1.028 slash line. Along with making his second All-Star Game, Caminiti won his second Gold Glove and the lone Silver Slugger of his career.
To this date, Caminiti remains the only Padre to have ever won the NL MVP award.
23. Baltimore Orioles, Cal Ripken Jr., SS (1991)
One of the greatest players of the latter half of the 21st century, Ripken Jr.’s entire career was filled with sensational numbers – yet still nothing compares to his 1991 season.
Ripken managed to post the 10th-most valuable season from a position player in MLB history, amassing 11.5 WAR as he led all of baseball in both offensive WAR and defensive WAR. Ripken put up 210 hits, 46 doubles, 34 home runs and 114 RBI with a .323/.374/.566/.940 slash line, leading all of baseball with 368 total bases.
Ripken made one of his 19 AL All-Star appearances and won a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger for his historic season. The win marked the second of Ripken’s career, with the Hall of Famer having won two of the Orioles’ five MVP awards in team history.
24. Kansas City Royals, George Brett, 3B (1980)
The Royals have been without an MVP award since their first-ever run to the World Series in 1980, with franchise icon George Brett compiling perhaps the best season of his storied career.
Brett led MLB with 9.4 WAR, finishing the season as the MLB leader in batting average, OBP, slugging percentage and OPS, slashing .390/.454/.664/1.118 for the season with 33 doubles and 24 home runs alongside a career-best 118 RBI.
Brett made the All-Star team and won one of his three Silver Sluggers in 1980, remaining the only Royals player to win the AL MVP award.
25. Cleveland Guardians, Al Rosen, 3B (1953)
The longest MVP drought by any club that has won the award in their history, the Guardians have been without an MVP-winner for over 70 years, with Al Rosen’s 10.1 WAR campaign in 1953 marking the last win for Cleveland.
Rosen accumulated nearly a third of his 32.3 career WAR in 1953, which saw him lead the AL with 115 runs, 43 home runs and a 1.034 OPS, while his 145 RBI were the most in all of baseball. While his impressive season anchored Cleveland to 92 wins, they finished 8.5 games behind the AL champion New York Yankees.
Although the Guardians haven’t won an MVP in now 72 years, Rosen’s win was the third in team history, following Lou Boudreau in 1948, the last year Cleveland won the World Series, and George Burns in 1926.
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