AWARDS
NL Rookie of the Year: Ronald Acuna Jr. (Braves)
AL Rookie of the Year: Shohei Ohtani (Angels)
NL Manager of the Year: Brian Snitker (Braves)
AL Manager of the Year: Bob Melvin (Oakland A’s)
NL Cy Young: Jacob deGrom (Mets)
AL Cy Young: Blake Snell (Rays)
NL MVP: Christian Yelich (Brewers)
AL MVP: Mookie Betts (Red Sox)
ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE (AFL)
The Peoria Javelinas (21-9) beat the Salt River Rafters (16-14) in the AFL Champion game 3-2 in the 10th inning on a walk-off HR from Braxton Davidson (Braves). That is back to back championships for the Javelinas and seventh overall.
Keston Hiura of the Brewers won the AFL MVP. Hiura led the AFL in hits (31) and RBI’s (33). He had a slash line of .323/.371/.563 He is the Brewers #1 prospect and the #30 prospect in all of MLB.
Cole Tucker of the Pirates won the Dernell Stenson Sportsmanship Award which is voted on by the field staff. Tucker had a slash line of .370/.442/.457. He is the Pirates #5 prospect.
NEWS
The Red Sox have announced Alex Cora got a 1 year extension on his contract. His contract now goes through the 2021 season with a club option for 2022.
MLB owners have unanimously approved for an extension through the 2024 season for commissioner Rob Manfred.
The Orioles have announced they hired Mike Elias as their Executive Vice President and General Manager. Elias has been the Astros Assistant General Manager since 2016.
TRANSACTIONS
The Dodgers LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu will accept his qualifying offer for 1 year/$17.9 million.
The D-Backs have signed OF Abraham Almonte to a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite.
The Indians have acquired OF Jordan Luplow and INF Max Moroff from the Pirates. The Pirates will receive INF Erik Gonzalez and two RHP minor leaguers Tahnaj Thomas and Dante Mendoza.
The Rangers have signed C Jeff Mathis to a 2 year deal.
The Red Sox have resigned 1B Steve Pearce to a 1 year/$6.25 million contract.
The Angels have signed OF Peter Bourjos to a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite. Bourjos played with the Angels from 2010-13.
The Astros have acquired INF Aledmys Diaz from the Blue Jays. The Blue Jays will receive prospect (Astros #24 prospect) RHP Trent Thornton.
RUMORS
The Yankees are doing “extensive” background work on 3B/SS Manny Machado.
The Phillies are looking at 3B Josh Donaldson and 3B Mike Moustakas for an upgrade at third.
The Reds could look to the trade market for a starting pitcher and have lots of interest in RHP Sonny Gray.
The Astros are on the list of teams talking to the Mariners about LHP James Paxton.
The Yankees have expressed interest in OF Bryce Harper as a first baseman.
The Phillies are “shopping” 1B Carlos Santana.
The Astros have had interest in Tigers OF Nick Castellanos.
The White Sox are actively trying to trade OF Avisail Garcia.
The Dodgers are interested in Marlins C J.T. Realmuto.
The Phillies are showing interest in LHP Patrick Corbin.
The Marlins continue to insist on Kyle Tucker or Forrest Whitley in any trade to the Astros for C J.T. Realmuto.
The Astros are more active in the trade discussions than the free agents when looking for a starting pitcher.
The Padres have shown some interest in Mets RHP Noah Syndergaard.
The A’s and Yankees have had contact about a deal that could send RHP Sonny Gray back to Oakland.
The Reds are among the teams with some level of interest in Blue Jays RHP Marcus Stroman.