How Astros' Yordan Alvarez is best player in MLB but not an MVP this year

Mar 30, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (44) motions towards the dugout after hitting a home run during the third inning against the Boston Red Sox at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

The Houston Astros own the worst record in the American League West at 13-21, and there are plenty of issues with the team as a whole.

But Yordan Alvarez is one of the few players who is not an issue for the Astros. Instead, he's proving to be a nightmare for opposing teams to face this season.

USA Today's Bob Nightengale called him the best player in baseball, but he also doesn't believe Alvarez is the MVP this season for one clear reason: The Astros' struggles.

How Yordan Alvarez is best in MLB but not an MVP

"But the key phrase is 'Best Player,' not 'Most Valuable Player,'" Nightengale writes. "It's awfully hard to win the official BBWAA MVP award when your team is the worst in baseball - unless your name is Andrew Dawson."

The Astros slugger is one of the best hitters in the sport this season, and might be putting together an MVP-caliber season.

But, with how bad the Astros are this season, it's going to be hard for Alvarez, the "Best Player in MLB," to win the MVP award.

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He's put up 1.7 bWAR in 34 games with 42 hits, 25 runs scored, nine doubles, 12 homers, 27 RBIs, 22 walks to 16 strikeouts, and a 1.123 OPS with a 207 OPS+.

Even if he closes out 2026 as the top hitter in baseball and is the "best player," if the Astros don't make the postseason, let alone end with a winning record, then his odds to win MVP will not be great.

To win MVP, players typically need to be playing great and on winning teams. The only way Alvarez, or any player, could win the MVP award on a bad team would be to have a truly ridiculous season. It's possible, especially for Alvarez, but not likely.

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