Only one year after splurging on the free agent market, the Miami Marlins change course completely, sending two of their top signees from last season, SS Jose Reyes and P Mark Buehrle, to the Toronto Blue Jays, along with staff ace Josh Johnson. With closer Heath Bell having been traded away earlier this off-season, it’s clear that the Fish are not looking to compete now. In return for the pricey veterans, they receive a package of young players headed by SS Yunel Escobar, IF Adeiny Hechavarria, P Henderson Alvarez, C Jeff Mathis and three minor leaguers (Justin Nicolino, Anthony Desclafani and Jake Marisnick). Two other big league veterans, C John Buck and utility player Emilio Bonifacio are also headed north, as the Blue Jays see a chance to win now in a seemingly wide open AL East. Under pressure from Marlins fans decrying yet another fire sale, Commissioner Bud Selig announces that he will need to review the trade before it goes ahead, but will give his approval on November 19th.

ByBaseball

Only one year after splurging on the free agent market, the Miami Marlins change course completely, sending two of their top signees from last season, SS Jose Reyes and P Mark Buehrle, to the Toronto Blue Jays, along with staff ace Josh Johnson. With closer Heath Bell having been traded away earlier this off-season, it’s clear that the Fish are not looking to compete now. In return for the pricey veterans, they receive a package of young players headed by SS Yunel Escobar, IF Adeiny Hechavarria, P Henderson Alvarez, C Jeff Mathis and three minor leaguers (Justin Nicolino, Anthony Desclafani and Jake Marisnick). Two other big league veterans, C John Buck and utility player Emilio Bonifacio are also headed north, as the Blue Jays see a chance to win now in a seemingly wide open AL East. Under pressure from Marlins fans decrying yet another fire sale, Commissioner Bud Selig announces that he will need to review the trade before it goes ahead, but will give his approval on November 19th.

Mike Trout unanimous selection as the Rookie of the Year

Mike Trout unanimous selection as the Rookie of the Year

ByThis Day in Baseball

Mike Trout (.326, 30, 83), the BBWAA’s unanimous selection as the Rookie of the Year, surpasses Lou Whitaker (1978 Tigers) by three months and five days to become the youngest American League player to be honored with the award. The 21 year-old Angel center fielder joins Evan Longoria (2008 Rays), Nomar Garciaparra (1997 Red Sox), Derek Jeter (1996 Yankees), Tim Salmon (1993 Angels), Sandy Alomar Jr. (1990 Indians), Mark McGwire (1987 A’s), and Carlton Fisk (1972 Red Sox) as the only other unanimous AL winners.

2012 – Bryce Harper of the Nationals is named the National League Rookie of the Year while Mike Trout of the Angels wins the honor in the American League. The two young outfielders wowed observers with their prowess with the bat, Harper becoming only the second teenager to hit 20 home runs in the big leagues, and the 21-year-old Trout being Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera’s main rival for the MVP Award after hitting .326 with 129 runs. Trout becomes the youngest AL winner, while Harper misses surpassing Dwight Gooden as the youngest NL winner by under a month.

ByBaseball

2012 – Bryce Harper of the Nationals is named the National League Rookie of the Year while Mike Trout of the Angels wins the honor in the American League. The two young outfielders wowed observers with their prowess with the bat, Harper becoming only the second teenager to hit 20 home runs in the big leagues, and the 21-year-old Trout being Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera’s main rival for the MVP Award after hitting .326 with 129 runs. Trout becomes the youngest AL winner, while Harper misses surpassing Dwight Gooden as the youngest NL winner by under a month.

Bryce Harper becomes the second youngest player to be selected as the National League Rookie of the Year, being 24 days older than Doc Gooden when the Mets right-hander won the award in 1984. The 20 year-old center fielder is the first Nationals player to win a BBWAA postseason award since the franchise moved from Montreal to Washington in 2005.

ByBaseball

Bryce Harper becomes the second youngest player to be selected as the National League Rookie of the Year, being 24 days older than Doc Gooden when the Mets right-hander won the award in 1984. The 20 year-old center fielder is the first Nationals player to win a BBWAA postseason award since the franchise moved from Montreal to Washington in 2005.

The Nationals announce Davey Johnson will return for one more season as the team’s manager. The 69 year-old skipper, who led Washington to their first NL East title with a franchise-high 98 victories, will become a consultant for the club in 2014.

ByTom

The Nationals announce Davey Johnson will return for one more season as the team’s manager. The 69 year-old skipper, who led Washington to their first NL East title with a franchise-high 98 victories, will become a consultant for the club in 2014.

R.A. Dickey receives the 21st annual Rotary Club of Denver’s Branch Rickey Award, an honor given to just one of the 30 nominees selected from each major league team for their humanitarian service off the field. Prior to the start of the season, the Mets’ 38 year-old knuckleballer climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, helping to raise more than $100,000 to help the Bombay Teen organization rescue young women from forced prostitution in India.

ByTom

R.A. Dickey receives the 21st annual Rotary Club of Denver’s Branch Rickey Award, an honor given to just one of the 30 nominees selected from each major league team for their humanitarian service off the field. Prior to the start of the season, the Mets’ 38 year-old knuckleballer climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, helping to raise more than $100,000 to help the Bombay Teen organization rescue young women from forced prostitution in India.

The Dodgers put in the largest bid for Korean P Hyun-jin Ryu, pledging over $25,7 million to secure the right to negotiate with Ryu, who is represented by Scott Boras. It is the third-highest amount ever bid through the posting system, after those for Japanese pitchers Daisuke Matsuzaka and Yu Darvish.

ByBaseball

The Dodgers put in the largest bid for Korean P Hyun-jin Ryu, pledging over $25,7 million to secure the right to negotiate with Ryu, who is represented by Scott Boras. It is the third-highest amount ever bid through the posting system, after those for Japanese pitchers Daisuke Matsuzaka and Yu Darvish.

The 2012 Silver Slugger Awards are announced. Leading the field in the American League is 3B Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers, winner of the Triple Crown, alongside veteran SS Derek Jeter and Cabrera’s main rival for the MVP Award, Angels rookie OF Mike Trout. The National League winners include three members of the Washington Nationals: 1B Adam LaRoche, SS Ian Desmond and P Stephen Strasburg.

ByBaseball

The 2012 Silver Slugger Awards are announced. Leading the field in the American League is 3B Miguel Cabrera of the Tigers, winner of the Triple Crown, alongside veteran SS Derek Jeter and Cabrera’s main rival for the MVP Award, Angels rookie OF Mike Trout. The National League winners include three members of the Washington Nationals: 1B Adam LaRoche, SS Ian Desmond and P Stephen Strasburg.

The Blue Jays make the first free agent signing of the off-season, inking IF Maicer Izturis, who played for the Angels last season, to a three-year contract. The Jays also purchase P Jeremy Jeffress from the Royals, continuing a busy off-season for GM Alex Anthopoulos.

ByBaseball

The Blue Jays make the first free agent signing of the off-season, inking IF Maicer Izturis, who played for the Angels last season, to a three-year contract. The Jays also purchase P Jeremy Jeffress from the Royals, continuing a busy off-season for GM Alex Anthopoulos.