JUST IN: Yankees revealed Juan Soto is the MVP thus far

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey platform for Major League Baseball fans. Throughout the year, we engage with the most informed New York Yankees supporters and fans nationwide, posing various questions. Sign up here to join our weekly email surveys.

The Yankees are having a stellar season, even more impressive given they have had to manage without Gerrit Cole. Riding the highs of a campaign that currently sees them leading the American League, we asked the Yankees fan base to weigh in on who they think the team’s MVP is for the 2024 season so far.

It’s a testament to Soto’s talent that he could rank third in this poll despite currently being one of the hottest players in baseball since the prime of Barry Bonds. Juan Soto is a leading contender for the AL MVP award alongside Aaron Judge, with his 4.1 fWAR already surpassing his 2022 total of 3.6, which was considered a down year for him.

While Soto hasn’t experienced a peak as scorching as Judge’s, he has demonstrated greater consistency, performing well from the start and holding the team together when Judge was struggling.

The rotation has been remarkable, with Luis Gil dominating hitters as if he’s the best thing since sliced bread, and Carlos Rodón delivering a much-needed comeback season. Additionally, Cody Poteet has stepped up, pitching shutout innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Here are MLB-wide surveys that include responses from fans across the league:

Robot umpires haven’t been implemented yet, but they are a real possibility for the future. While owners, players, and the MLB Umpires Association all have their perspectives, it’s crucial to understand what the fans—the consumers—think about this potential change.

Interestingly, over half of the fans appreciate the human element that umpires bring to the game. This becomes even more intriguing when we consider the results of the next poll:

Interestingly, a majority of fans do support the idea of an automated strike zone, indicating that the issue isn’t necessarily with the concept itself. It seems likely that fans prefer a challenge system where the worst calls can be overturned by technology, while still retaining human umpires for most decisions. This compromise appeals to fans who enjoy the human element in baseball but also want the accuracy that technology can provide

The MLB Umpires Association might resist more radical changes, but the challenge system appears to be gaining traction, partly due to positive feedback from its implementation in minor league games. This system allows players to challenge human calls, which are then reviewed by the automated system, striking a balance between traditional and modern approaches to officiating

With the recent retirement of Ángel Hernández, it’s an opportune moment to survey MLB fans on who they believe is the worst umpire in the sport. The results were quite clear. Perhaps the memory of a blown call against the Cardinals in a critical moment earlier this year is still fresh in many fans’ minds.

CB Bucknor, who began his professional umpiring career in 1996, has a significant tenure approaching three decades. Despite his long career, he is often cited as one of the least favored umpires by fans and players alike. Interestingly, some players believe that Laz Diaz is the worst, taking the top spot in their opinions.

This sentiment reflects ongoing concerns about the quality and consistency of umpiring in MLB, an issue that fuels discussions about the potential implementation of automated strike zones or challenge systems to improve accuracy and fairness in the game