AWARDS
NL Rookie of the Year: Kris Bryant (Cubs)
AL Rookie of the Year: Carlos Correa (Astros)
NL Manager of the Year: Joe Maddon (Cubs)
AL Manager of the Year: Jeff Banister (Rangers)
NL Cy Young: Jake Arrieta (Cubs)
AL Cy Young: Dallas Keuchel (Astros)
NL MVP: Bryce Harper (Nationals)
AL MVP: Josh Donaldson (Blue Jays)
ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE (AFL)
The Scottsdale Scorpions (18-12) beat the Surprise Saguaros (19-11-1) in the AFL Championship game 6-4. It’s the Scorpions 3rd league title and 1st since 2010.
Adam Engel of the White Sox won the AFL MVP. He led the AFL with a .403 avg. and 1.165 OPS. Only 2nd player to win MVP and batting title, other was Dustin Ackley.
Yadiel Rivera of the Brewers won the Dernell Stenson Sportsmanship Award which is voted on by the field staff. He batted .315 with 1 HR, 11 RBI’s and played in the Rising Stars game.
NEWS
David “Big Papi” Ortiz of the Red Sox announced that he will retire at the end of the 2016 season.
Instead of the normal Sunday Night game to open the season there will be 3 games on Opening Day April 3rd. Cardinals at Pirates, Blue Jays at Rays and the Sunday Night game will be Mets at Royals. All games will be on ESPN.
The Mariners DFA’d LHP Danny Hultzen. He was the the 2nd pick in the 2011 MLB Draft. He has yet to make his MLB debut due to shoulder injuries.
Hall of Famer Randy Johnson who played 10 years with the Mariners raised the 12th Flag for the Seattle Seahawks at their home game against the 49ers.
The Dodgers are expected to sign Dave Roberts as their next manager and he will be the 1st minority manager for the Dodgers.
TRANSACTIONS
The Mariners have acquired OF Leonys Martin and RHP Anthony Bass from the Rangers. The Rangers will receive RHP Tom Wilhelmsen, OF James Jones and a PTBNL.
The Giants and SS Brandon Crawford have agreed to a 6 year/$75 contract extension, full no trade clause and no option years.
The Angels have signed INF Cliff Pennington to a 2 year/$3.75 contract.
The A’s have signed LHP Rich Hill to a 1 year/$6 million contract.
The Tigers have acquired RHP Francisco Rodriguez from the Brewers. The Brewers will receive prospect INF Javier Betancourt and a PTBNL.
The Brewers have acquired IF Jonathan Villar from the Astros. The Astros will receive minor league RHP Cy Sneed.
The Mariners have acquired SS Luis Sardinas from the Brewers. The Brewers will receive minor league OF Ramon Flores.
The Rays claimed RHP Chase Whitley off of waivers from the Yankees.
The Tigers have acquired OF Cameron Maybin and cash considerations from the Braves. The Braves will receive LHP Ian Krol and minor league LHP Gabe Speier.
The Cubs have acquired RHP Spencer Patton from the Rangers. The Rangers will receive minor league 2B Frandy De La Rosa.
The Blue Jays have acquired RHP Jesse Chavez from the A’s. The A’s will receive RHP Liam Hendriks.
The Dodgers have agreed to sign Cuban OF Yusniel Diaz to a $15.5 million deal and Cuban INF Omar Estevez to a $6 million deal.
RUMORS
The Reds and Astros have had trade talks regarding 3B Todd Frazier and LHP Aroldis Chapman.
The Padres need a SS and they have Rangers SS Elvis Andrus on their radar.
The Braves and D-Backs have discussed a trade involving Braves RHP Shelby Miller
The Pirates are reportedly listening to offers on 2B Neil Walker.
The Mets are very interested in UT Ben Zobrist.
The White Sox are fielding offers on OF Avisail Garcia.
Jeff Samardzija met with Cubs President of Baseball Ops Theo Epstein to talk about a possible return to Chicago.
The Dodgers are in the mix for RHP Darren O’Day.
The Braves are interested in LHP Matt Thornton.
The Cardinals have had discussions regarding 1B Chris Davis.
The Dodgers have identified RHP Jordan Zimmerman as one of their top pitching targets.
The Orioles have engaged in trade discussions regarding Reds OF Jay Bruce.
The D-Backs have had internal discussions about trying to sign RHP Johnny Cueto.