"Mookie Betts means more to Dodgers than Shohei Ohtani" – Bob Nightengale believes injuries derailed 8x All-Star's second MVP bid

Mookie Betts is one of the most talented and physically gifted players in the MLB right now. The veteran has remained nearly unstoppable at the plate this season, and his defensive versatility is important for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

A Gold Glove-winning outfielder, Betts showcased his versatility by making the seemingly impossible jump to shortstop at the beginning of the year before returning to the outfield. His value to the club is unprecedented. However, he happens to also play alongside arguably one of the best players fans have ever seen: Shohei Ohtani.

The Japanese superstar is on pace to become the first player to record 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in the same season, which has seemingly helped him secure his 3rd MVP Award.

That being said, MLB insider Bob Nightengale suggested on an episode of Blair and Barker that Betts could have found himself in MVP conversations had injuries not limited him to just 99 games so far this season.

"If Mookie Betts was still playing and wasn't hurt for all that time, I thought it was going to be Mookie Betts. I still think he means more to that team than Ohtani does," Nightengale said. [57:26]

Even though a hand fracture cost Betts several weeks of action, it is nearly impossible to overlook that Ohtani is putting together a historic season for the Dodgers. Not only can Ohtani become the first player in history to record a 50 home run and 50 stolen base season, but he could also become the first designated hitter to win an MVP award.

Mookie Betts says he believes that his injury ended his chances of competing with Ohtani for the NL MVP

At the beginning of the season, it looked as if Mookie Betts was a prime candidate to push for the National League MVP Award. However, a fractured hand kept him out of the lineup for nearly two months. While Betts sat on the IL, trying to recover from the injury as soon as possible, Ohtani was putting together a world-class season and pulling away from his teammate.

This is something Betts acknowledged, telling Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register that if he had been able to stay healthy, it could have been him and Ohtani vying for the award.

"That’s always a personal goal. Personal goals don’t really matter. You’d like to get them," Betts said of trying to battle for the NL MVP.

For Betts, the MVP award came off the table soon after he went on the IL. It appears that Shohei Ohtani will secure this first ever NL MVP Award, however, Francisco Lindor of the New York Mets might argue that he has a case for the prestigeous accolade.