Cal Raleigh named AL's 'LVP' as Mariners struggle in 2026 season

Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners has been designated the American League's 'Least Valuable Player' for the 2026 season. According to Jayson Stark of The Athletic, Raleigh has experienced a significant decline from his previous year's performance, going from 60 home runs in 2025 to just 23 this season. His batting average has fallen 68 points, along with substantial drops in on-base and slugging percentages. The Mariners, who came close to the World Series last year, currently have a record below.500 with three games remaining. This extraordinary drop-off is unprecedented for a player who was a top MVP candidate just a year prior.

• 4:54 PMYahoo Sports — Why Mariners' Cal Raleigh is AL's 'LVP' and not Vladimir Guerrero Jr.