No More Mookie Betts: MLB's Top 10 Indispensable Players in 2024

With the Los Angeles Dodgers losing superstar Mookie Betts for six to eight weeks with a broken hand, let’s look at the 10 most indispensable players in the major leagues:

3B Jose Ramirez, Guardians

Is there a more underrated MLB star? He’s a five-time All-Star who’s finished in the top five in AL MVP voting four times and likely will again in 2024. The 31-year-old is not a household name outside Cleveland but should be. He entered Friday on pace to post his first 40-homer campaign and a career-high 150 RBIs as the unquestioned leader of the AL Central frontrunners.

SS Bobby Witt Jr., Royals

Already Kansas City’s cornerstone in just his third season, the 24-year-old signed an 11-year, $288.7 million deal in the offseason that could extend to 14 years and a total of $377.7 million with club options. One of the fastest players who also plays a premium position, Witt is a five-tool stud with unlimited potential.

RF Corbin Carroll, Diamondbacks

This budding young star took the game by storm in 2023, earning an All-Star nod and NL Rookie of the Year in honors as the D-backs surprised many by reaching the World Series. Just 23, he led the NL in triples (10), swiped 54 bags and finished fifth in NL MVP voting last season and is the player to build around in the desert.

SP Shota Imanaga, Cubs

In his first MLB season, the 30-year-old former Japanese star has been tabbed as the team’s most valuable player by teammate Nico Hoerner. His first 13 starts backed it up: 7-1, a 1.89 ERA and a WHIP under 1. The Cubs went 11-2 in those outings, and the jovial righty appears to be an All-Star lock and a Rookie of the Year candidate for the NL wild-card contenders.

3B Rafael Devers, Red Sox

Boston has moved on from other established stars in recent years, but the 27-year-old is here to stay, signed to a 10-year, $313.5 million contract. A defensively challenged two-time All-Star slugger, he’s a consistent middle-of-the-order presence in a lineup that has been anything but consistent. If he were to go down, Boston’s wild-card hopes would take a nose dive.

SP Logan Webb, Giants

Amid injuries to San Francisco’s rotation, the 27-year-old right-hander has been a workhorse again in 2024 after leading the majors in innings (216.0) last season. The Giants’ NL wild-card aspirations rely heavily on Webb, who finished second in NL Cy Young Award voting in 2023.

CF Julio Rodriguez, Mariners

The 2022 AL Rookie of the Year -- and All-Star in each of his first two seasons -- is one of the game’s most exciting and dynamic players and is just 23. Signed through 2029 with player options that could keep him in Seattle through 2034, the five-tool star and perennial 30-30 candidate nearly carried the Mariners to the postseason in 2023.

DH Marcell Ozuna, Braves

With reigning NL MVP Ronald Acuna Jr. out for the season and rising young star Michael Harris II out indefinitely, the two-time All-Star is more than picking up the slack. Entering Friday, the 33-year-old was on pace for career highs in homers (45) and RBIs (141) for the NL wild-card leaders.

C Adley Rutschman, Orioles

The 2019 No. 1 overall pick has lived up to the hype as the franchise backstop of a World Series contender. At 26 and coming off his first All-Star campaign in his first full season, he’s the O’s leader on the field and is considered the game’s elite best at his position.

2B Marcus Semien, Rangers

The 33-year-old steady veteran is surrounded by more prominent stars and household names in the clubhouse, but the unheralded star rarely misses a game, ranks among the best at his position and topped in the AL in hits and runs in 2023 for the World Series champions.