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. Its close enough that the vast majority of about a dozen Yankees personnel canva sed 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. Juan Soto celebrates with Aaron Judge after he scores on his solo home run during the first inning against the White Sox. Robert Sabo for NY Post Prelander Berroa Jersey If the voting took place today, one Yankee should win and the other should finish second. But as to which one, most Yankees wouldnt say. Manager Aaron Boone responded to my question by telling me Im MVP. Hes funny (in his own way). Giancarlo Stanton said hed have to defer to me since Im the one with an actual vote. Not nece sarily, I explained to Stanton. More From Jon Heyman Ive only voted for MVP about four times in 35-plus years of doing this. Each vote goes to two writers in every AL city, and even though writers are unfortunately trending toward extinction, I usually work in cities with way more than two writers so I generally get a different vote or am benched altogether. (I probably should have had more MVP votes, but since most of the players Ive voted for later turned out to be steroid guys, I secretly suspect the voting committee has me on double-secret probation.) Anyway, Stanton cagily dragged me into my rather tedious explanation about the voting proce s instead of actually choosing between Judge and Soto. Stanton is a clever guy so I figured hed find a way to dodge the question. Anyway, I pre sed on. Yankees bench coach Brad Ausmus, a Dartmouth man, introduced some Ivy League equivocation. Yankees outfielder Juan Soto (22) reacts after he hits a single in the fifth inning at Yankee Stadium. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST I think its a New York Yankee, Ausmus said. I like both, catcher Jose Trevino said. Thankfully, theyre on our team. Third-base coach Luis Rojas ask if there could be co MVPs? One of the two most definitive answers came from Judge, who wasnt afraid to play jury. He selected Soto. (Soto was unavailable pregame and in a hitters meeting, though Im not certain why he needs that.) Juans definitely got my vote based on what hes done all year, coming up big to making great defensive plays, Judge told The Post. The guys always on base for me. He makes my job a lot easier. He and [Anthony] Volpe are the engine of this offense. Henderson, Witt and Ramirez are all putting together MVP-type seasons. But as to whos actually the MVP so far (Judge did note its pretty early), its got to be one of the two Yankees, who are in their first-year pairing. See Also open mike Judge, who was MVP in 2022 when he set the AL home run record, and Soto are 1-2 in the key categories, and the statistical case slightly favors Judge. Judge is one to Sotos two in slugging percentage (.681 to .599), OPS (1.108 to 1.035), runs created (76 to 71) and adjusted batting wins (40 to 34) while Soto is one to Judges two in on-base percentage (.435 to .427) and times on base (138 to 137). Judge has bigger power numbers, he gets a slight edge as a fine center fielder compared to Sotos underrated right field, and unlike Soto, he usually doesnt have a future Hall of Famer batting behind him (Soto has Judge behind him.) However, Soto has been great from Day 1, when his great throw saved the opener against hated Houston. And Soto is the one who transformed the lineup that wasnt even average last year. (That points probably unfair to Judge, whos done it alone at times over the past few years.) It feels like some in the Yankees lineup are trying to emulate Soto by being more discerning at the plate though no one but no one can be him. Who else could po sibly be so comfortable with two strikes? Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees hits an RBI double during the third inning when the New York Yankees played the Los Angeles Dodgers. Robert Sabo for NY Post If hes not the best hitter in the game hes right up there, Judge said about Soto. He has incredible bat-to-ball skills. He has such a great eye that hes not afraid to take it with two strikes, even against guys he hasnt seen before. He doesnt mind taking it to two strikes. Two strikes, 3-2, 0-0, the guys a great hitter. Judge was pretty convincing in the case he made for Soto. In addition to being a great player, Judge is also a great captain. And thats probably about all I proved with my silly survey. Shane Drohan Jersey