Soto determined to beat Ohtani for NL MVP: 'I'm coming'

New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto hasn't won an MVP, and he understands that in order to accomplish the feat anytime soon, he must beat Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani.

"I'm going to be there every year too," Soto said, according to MLB.com's Anthony DiComo. "So, he better keep doing what he's doing because I'm coming."

Ohtani has won an MVP in four out of the last five seasons and finished second for the AL award in 2022. Meanwhile, Soto ranked third in NL MVP voting last season. He came in second in 2021, his best finish to date.

The two superstars are bound to compete for the honor several times during the coming years, with Soto under contract with the Mets until 2039 and Ohtani committed to the Dodgers until 2033.

Soto believes he's capable of outperforming Ohtani, even if the two-way star's ability to hit and pitch helps garner more votes for the award. He says his hitting (43 homers, .921 OPS, 127 walks in 2025), improved base-stealing, and quest to become a better defender can help him do so.

"He's really good. He's really good," Soto said. "I've just got to beat him. Definitely, it's not going to be easy, but I've got to find a way to beat him."