Red Sox legend Pedro Martinez warns of a real MVP threat to Aaron Judge
Red Sox legend Pedro Martinez warns of a real MVP threat to Aaron Judge originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Aaron Judge might be in the middle of another MVP-worthy season, but one Hall of Famer thinks he will be pushed this year. On Tuesday night, legendary former Red Sox ace Pedro Martinez tweeted a playful, but pointed, warning.
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"I'm afraid the Big Dumper might give Judge a real fight for the MVP. #mlbontbs," Martinez wrote.
"Big Dumper" refers to Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, who's quietly putting together a monster season. Raleigh's combination of home run power and standout defensive play behind the plate has him firmly in the MVP conversation.
Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners hit his 24th homer this season against the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday.© Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images
They are both having outstanding 2025 seasons, but their strengths show different shades of excellence. Judge boasts a higher batting average at .364 and leads in OPS with 1.188, showcasing his ability to get on base and drive runs consistently. He's chasing historic numbers.
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Raleigh, meanwhile, holds a slight edge in raw power with 31 home runs compared to Judge's 28, an impressive feat for a full-time catcher. Their WAR totals are neck and neck, with Judge at 5.3 and Raleigh at 5.1, making this MVP race a genuine toss-up between Judge's all-around offensive dominance and Raleigh's power and defensive impact behind the plate.
Judge is in familiar territory—chasing history, setting records, and carrying the Yankees' lineup when it's needed him most. But Raleigh's breakout isn't going unnoticed, even by someone whose career included plenty of battles with Yankees stars.
Martinez knows all about Yankees MVP debates, after going head-to-head with New York in numerous Cy Young races and playoff matchups.
Judge has been the frontrunner all season, but Martinez's tweet is a wake up call. This isn't going to be easy and Judge's biggest competition might not come from the usual suspects.
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The Yankees' captain better keep his eye on The Big Dumper.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
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