In a five-player trade with the White Sox, the Yankees obtained Nick Swisher and Triple-A right-hander Kaneoka Texeira in exchange for pitching prospects Jeff Marquez and Jhonny Nunez, as well as infielder Wilson Betemit. The Bronx Bombers plan to use the flexible 27 year-old switch hitter to replace departing first baseman Jason Giambi but could be moved to the outfield if the team acquires a big name free agent to play first.

ByBaseball

In a five-player trade with the White Sox, the Yankees obtained Nick Swisher and Triple-A right-hander Kaneoka Texeira in exchange for pitching prospects Jeff Marquez and Jhonny Nunez, as well as infielder Wilson Betemit. The Bronx Bombers plan to use the flexible 27 year-old switch hitter to replace departing first baseman Jason Giambi but could be moved to the outfield if the team acquires a big name free agent to play first.

The Athletics trade former closer Huston Street, starter Greg Smith and prospect Carlos González to the Rockies for former batting champion Matt Holliday.

ByBaseball

The Athletics trade former closer Huston Street, starter Greg Smith and prospect Carlos González to the Rockies for former batting champion Matt Holliday.

Joe Maddon, receiving 27 of the 28 first-place votes cast by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, easily wins the American League Manager of the Year award. The Rays skipper, who succeeded Lou Piniella in 2006, this year’s NL’s choice for the honor, led Tampa Bay to a pennant after the team posted the worst record (66-96) in baseball last season.

ByBaseball

Joe Maddon, receiving 27 of the 28 first-place votes cast by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, easily wins the American League Manager of the Year award. The Rays skipper, who succeeded Lou Piniella in 2006, this year’s NL’s choice for the honor, led Tampa Bay to a pennant after the team posted the worst record (66-96) in baseball last season.

Lou Piniella wins the National League Manager of the Year award after leading the Cubs to the postseason for the second consecutive season. The fiery skipper also won the AL honor in 1995 and 2001 while managing in Seattle.

ByBaseball

Lou Piniella wins the National League Manager of the Year award after leading the Cubs to the postseason for the second consecutive season. The fiery skipper also won the AL honor in 1995 and 2001 while managing in Seattle.

Tim Lincecum wins the 2008 National League Cy Young Award in his first full season in the majors. Lincecum led the league in strikeouts and was second in both wins and ERA. Brandon Webb finishes second for the second consecutive season. The NL Western Division has now produced 8 of the last 10 NL Cy Young Award winners.

ByBaseball

Tim Lincecum wins the 2008 National League Cy Young Award in his first full season in the majors. Lincecum led the league in strikeouts and was second in both wins and ERA. Brandon Webb finishes second for the second consecutive season. The NL Western Division has now produced 8 of the last 10 NL Cy Young Award winners.

The Nationals pick up outfielder Josh Willingham and pitcher Scott Olsen from the Marlins for prospect Emilio Bonifacio and minor leaguers Jake Smolinski and P.J. Dean.

ByBaseball

The Nationals pick up outfielder Josh Willingham and pitcher Scott Olsen from the Marlins for prospect Emilio Bonifacio and minor leaguers Jake Smolinski and P.J. Dean.

|

Joining Mike McCormick, who copped the honor in 1967, Tim Lincecum (18-5, 2.62) becomes the second San Francisco Giant hurler to win the NL Cy Young Award. The 24 year-old right-hander, finishing his first full big league season, receives 23 out of 32 first-place votes cast by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America to finish ahead of Arizona’s Brandon Webb and New York’s Johan Santana.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Joining Mike McCormick, who copped the honor in 1967, Tim Lincecum (18-5, 2.62) becomes the second San Francisco Giant hurler to win the NL Cy Young Award. The 24 year-old right-hander, finishing his first full big league season, receives 23 out of 32 first-place votes cast by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America to finish ahead of Arizona’s Brandon Webb and New York’s Johan Santana.

The Nationals, which posted baseball’s worst record last season, begin revamping their team, sending second baseman Emilio Bonifacio and two minor leaguers to the Marlins in exchange for right-hander Scott Olsen and outfielder Josh Willingham. The trade gives Washington much-needed starting pitching and adds a left-fielder to an outfield corps which consists of Lastings Milledge, Elijah Dukes, and Austin Kearns.

ByBaseball

The Nationals, which posted baseball’s worst record last season, begin revamping their team, sending second baseman Emilio Bonifacio and two minor leaguers to the Marlins in exchange for right-hander Scott Olsen and outfielder Josh Willingham. The trade gives Washington much-needed starting pitching and adds a left-fielder to an outfield corps which consists of Lastings Milledge, Elijah Dukes, and Austin Kearns.

Evan Longoria (.272, 27, 85), the unanimous choice of the BBWAA, wins the American League Rookie of the Year award. The Rays’ slugging third baseman becomes the first player in franchise history to win a major postseason award.

ByBaseball

Evan Longoria (.272, 27, 85), the unanimous choice of the BBWAA, wins the American League Rookie of the Year award. The Rays’ slugging third baseman becomes the first player in franchise history to win a major postseason award.

Cubs’ freshman Geovany Soto (.285, 23, 86), garnering 31 of 32 first-place votes, wins the National League Rookie of the Year award. The 25 year-old catcher becomes the first backstop to be selected since Mike Piazza won the freshman honor while playing for the Dodgers in 1993.

ByBaseball

Cubs’ freshman Geovany Soto (.285, 23, 86), garnering 31 of 32 first-place votes, wins the National League Rookie of the Year award. The 25 year-old catcher becomes the first backstop to be selected since Mike Piazza won the freshman honor while playing for the Dodgers in 1993.