Ohtani Snubbed Again: Mets Manager Disputes WAR 9.2
Shohei Ohtani, the two-way phenom, was left off the 2023 All-MLB First Team, despite another season of dominance on the mound and at the plate. This snub has sparked debate, with Mets manager Buck Showalter publicly challenging the use of WAR (Wins Above Replacement) as a primary evaluation metric.
Showalter, known for his traditional baseball approach, argued that WAR doesn't fully capture Ohtani's unique impact on the game. "He's more than just a pitcher and a hitter," Showalter said. "He's a game-changer, a draw for fans, and someone who elevates the entire team."
Ohtani's 2023 season:
- Hitting: .278 batting average, 34 home runs, 95 RBI
- Pitching: 10-5 record, 3.14 ERA, 164 strikeouts
While his numbers were slightly down from his 2021 MVP year, Ohtani remained a force on both sides of the ball. He even won his first Silver Slugger Award, acknowledging his offensive excellence.
The WAR debate:
WAR is a complex statistic that attempts to quantify a player's overall value by comparing them to a replacement-level player. While widely used, it has been criticized for not fully accounting for factors like excitement and marketability, aspects that Ohtani clearly embodies.
Some argue that Ohtani's unique skillset should be recognized beyond WAR, while others point to his lack of pitching dominance compared to the AL Cy Young Award winner, Justin Verlander, as a reason for the snub.
The Ohtani MVP debate is far from settled. While WAR remains a valuable tool, it's clear that certain players, like Ohtani, transcend simple statistics. It's a reminder that the beauty of baseball often lies beyond the numbers.
