Yankees’ Aaron Judge, Juan Soto are clear frontrunners in AL MVP race

BOSTON — My very unscientific, extremely informal American League MVP poll posed little chance for real resolution inside the Yankees clubhouse. The top two MVP contenders reside there, separated by only a few feet inside this rundown locker room, and by no more than that in the actual race.

The AL MVP in reality — and of course in that room, too — is either slugging center fielder Aaron Judge or slugging right fielder Juan Soto. It’s close enough that the vast majority of about a dozen Yankees personnel canvassed Sunday called it a draw or declined to choose.

One said Judge flat out, two seemed to lean Judge, and one said Soto. Other than that: blank ballots.

Cases certainly also could be made for Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson, Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. and Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez. But a check of the stat leaderboard is clear. Judge is first in most categories, Soto second.

If the voting took place today, one Yankee should win and the other should finish second. But as to which one, most Yankees wouldn’t say.

Manager Aaron Boone responded to my question by telling me I’m MVP. He’s funny (in his own way).