The 2021 Baseball Writers’ Association of America awards season concluded last week with the announcement of the MVP winners in both leagues. Shohei Ohtani was the unanimous choice in the American League while Bryce Harper earned his second career honor in the National League.
The Los Angeles Dodgers did not have a finalist for the NL MVP Award, but still saw Trea Turner, Max Muncy and Max Scherzer receive consideration. Muncy finished 10th with 38 points, getting one sixth-place vote, three for seventh place, one eighth-place vote, and six votes apiece for ninth and 10th place.
The 31-year-old appearing on the final NL MVP ballot marked a third time in his career, as he previously placed 15th in both 2018 and 2019.
Muncy now is on track to take home a higher base salary for the 2023 season. The three-year contract extension Muncy signed in February 2020 included incentives based on where he places in MVP voting.
Muncy can earn an additional $1 million for each finish in the top five; $500,000 for each placement from sixth through 10th; and $250,000 for each finish from 11th through 20th.
Muncy’s 10th-place finish in NL MVP voting means that his $13 million club option ($1.5 million buyout) for the 2023 season has increased to $13.5 million. He can potentially add to this salary with another strong showing next year.
Muncy got off to a slow start this past season and wound up enduring an uneven year. A hot month May was followed by more struggles in June, then another peak in July, only to hit a valley in August and have marginal improvement over September.
The two-time All-Star still led the Dodgers this year with 36 home runs and 94 RBI, and was second with an .895 on-base plus slugging percentage.
Muncy among Dodgers snubbed of 2021 Silver Slugger Award
Similar to the BBWAA voting, the Dodgers did not have a recipient for a Silver Slugger Award. They were represented by Will Smith (catcher), Muncy (first base) and Trea Turner (second base, shortstop).
Silver Slugger Award winners were voted on by each manager and three coaches of his choosing. However, the managers and coaches who participate are not allowed to vote for any player from their respective team.
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