Mariners' Cal Raleigh already behind in AL MVP grudge match as Yankees arrive

A shoutout is owed to Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt, who's a real one for saying Cal Raleigh "obviously" should have won the AL MVP over Aaron Judge last year. In context, though, it reads less like an endorsement and more like a vote of confidence.

As they prepare to visit Seattle for three games, the New York Yankees can take the position that their three-time AL MVP is just fine, thank you. Judge had a rough opener, but then responded with homers in back-to-back games to help finish off a sweep of the Giants in San Francisco.

As for Raleigh, getting hot remains a work in progress. He went to the plate 18 times in the Mariners' split of a four-gamer against Cleveland, and came away with two hits, three walks and 10 strikeouts.

It's not the start "Big Dumper" wanted after shattering records with his 60-homer season in 2025. And if it's a question of how alarming it is, one's mileage may vary.

Cal Raleigh has looked nothing like an AL MVP contender at the start of the Mariners' season

To the naked eye, the 29-year-old just doesn't look on time at the plate. And that part is understandable, given how weird his spring was.

Raleigh only played in nine Cactus League games because of his time away with Team USA for the World Baseball Classic, which proved to be a tumultuous experience. Even setting aside the stupid handshake thing with Randy Arozarena, he was 0-for-9 in the WBC and was functionally benched by Mark DeRosa.

It is nonetheless hard not to wonder if the book on him has changed, specifically as a left-handed batter against righties. They've been pounding him with fastballs so far, and with a different location pattern:

Righties have basically taken to attacking Raleigh inside. And whether it's because he has a real flaw or just isn't used to the new look, it's been working. He's 1-for-7 against right-handed fastballs, with a 57.9 whiff percentage and five strikeouts.

This is a solid reason to ramp up the concern level over Raleigh's start, but only from a 1 to a 2 on a 1-10 scale. After the spring he had, it's fair to give him a bit of grace as he plays catch-up.

Besides, it's not like he's the only Mariners star who came away from the opening series with little or nothing to show for it. Raleigh at least had two hits, whereas Julio Rodríguez and Josh Naylor had one in 30 at-bats between them.

As to the AL MVP grudge match, our official position is the same as Vogt's. Judge was simultaneously a deserving winner and a cowardly choice, and it's still a darn shame that one of the most magical seasons in MLB history did not get proper recognition.

So far in 2026, though, there's no question who's ahead in the polls. And for Raleigh, that's another area where he must play catch-up.

Start Times and Matchups for Yankees vs. Mariners, March 30-April 1

• Monday, March 30 at 6:40 p.m. PT: Ryan Weathers vs. Luis Castillo
• Tuesday, March 31 at 6:40 p.m. PT: Max Fried vs. Logan Gilbert
• Wednesday, April 1 at 1:10 p.m. PT: Cam Schlittler vs. George Kirby