Dodgers Superstars Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman Fall Short of Winning 2023 NL MVP Award

The National League MVP award winner was finally announced, and the Dodgers had two finalists in the equation. Star utilityman Mookie Betts and first baseman Freddie Freeman both had stellar years to make the cut.

And yet, while both Betts and Freeman had incredible seasons in 2023, it wasn’t enough for either of them to take home the MVP honor. They both lost out to Ronald Acuna Jr. of the Atlanta Braves, who also put together a special season.

Ronald Acuna Jr. has officially and unanimously won the National League Most Valuable Player award.

Mookie Betts finished in second place, while his Dodgers teammate, Freddie Freeman, was right behind him in third place.

Betts got all 30 second-place votes.
— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) November 16, 2023

Betts finished in second place, with Freeman coming behind him in third. It was always a long shot for either of them to overcome the year Acuna Jr put together. There was a few-week period where Betts was the frontrunner, but a poor September saw that chance fade away.

The Dodgers star utilityman carried the team through the season, playing in multiple spots defensively. He was the ultimate Swiss Army knife for LA, and while he didn’t win the MVP, his impact shouldn’t be overstated.

Betts hit .307 with 39 home runs and 107 runs batted in through the year. It was arguably his best career season, and the best year for him since joining the Dodgers back in 2020.

As for Freeman, he continues to be one of the most impactful players in baseball. He hit .331 with 29 home runs and 102 runs batted in. The veteran first baseman also added 211 hits for the season.

He played in 161 of 162 possible games this season and is the iron-horse of this team. LA likely couldn’t have imagined the production that Freeman has given in his first two seasons with the team, and it just makes everything even more special.

Both players were catalysts for the Dodgers winning 100 games this past season, and while the postseason didn’t live up to expectations, they deserve all the praise for their contributions. These two will be carrying the Dodgers once again next season, and we can’t wait to see what kind of year they put together.