For Eduardo Pérez, neither Sh0hei Ohtani nor Aaron Judge is the most irreplaceable player in baseball. Then who?
“The most irreplaceable player for his team in baseball is José Ramírez.” This could be a serious claim.
However, look closer. Without Ohtani, the Dodgers would still contend. Without Aaron Judge, the Yankees would survive. But without Ramírez? The Guardians collapse.
The infielder is not just Cleveland’s best talent—he IS Cleveland. No other team leans on one star like the Guardians do. The five-time Silver Slugger Award winner’s effect is not just large. It is necessary. Cleveland does not carry a lineup stacked with superstars. Because the team has José Ramírez. And he does everything.
In 2024, he slashed .279/.335/.537 with 39 home runs, 118 RBIs, and 41 stolen bases. The three-time selectee to the All-MLB Team ranked in the top five in the AL in WAR. This proves his value goes beyond the box score. But is it just numbers? Apparently not! The team relies on him.
No Guardian talent hit more than 20 homers besides Ramírez. No Guardian had an OPS above .900 except the 2021 Bob Feller Man of the Year. He guided Cleveland in RBIs, extra-base hits, and total bases. Without him, the team’s offense would vanish.
The Cleveland Guardians do not have the depth of other teams. They are a small-market franchise with no luxury of replacing talents. José Ramírez’s $141 million deal is the largest in their history, yet it remains a bargain. If he were to miss time, the team would have no elite talent to fill the gap. Gabriel Arias has power but is unproven. There is Carlos Santana, who brings experience but is past his prime.
Seems like no talent replicates what José Ramírez brings—his bat, leadership, and speed. So, his, being called the most irreplaceable talent in baseball – makes sense! However, how does he compare to the league’s biggest names?
Why Not Judge or Ohtani?
Shohei Ohtani is a generational talent. However, the Dodgers are built to win with or without him. If he had missed the 2024 season, the team would still have an elite core with Mookie Betts, Will Smith, and Freddie Freeman. The team’s rotation remains deep. In addition, their payroll flexibility enables them to adjust. True that the AL MVP winner, limited to hitting after a second Tommy John surgery, dominated offensively. He guided the NL with 54 home runs, 130 RBIs, and 411 total bases. His MVP-caliber season supported his $700 million deal, however, the Dodgers can withstand his gap.
But Cleveland? They do not have that luxury with José Ramírez.
And Aaron Judge is the face of the Yankees. But, if the right-fielder misses time, Bronx is not doomed. Giancarlo Stanton is there. He’s an ALCS MPV-level player. The roster also has Paul Goldschmidt and DJ LeMahieu. The Yankees have always managed an elite roster, and bad roster construction hurt them more. But the Guardians’ entire lineup revolves around Ramírez. The Yankees do not rely solely on Judge. That is the difference.
The Dodgers and the Bronx have talents to pick up the slack. Cleveland does not.
Ohtani and Judge are superstars, but they play on teams that can survive without them. But Ramírez? He is the only thing keeping Cleveland competitive.
On this front, do you agree with Pérez, too?
The post Not Aaron Judge or Shohei Ohtani, but This $141 Million Star Named the Most “Irreplaceable” Player in MLB by Insider appeared first on EssentiallySports.
