2016 – In off-season dealings, the Braves sign their second 40-something starting pitcher in two days, inking Bartolo Colon to a contract one day after adding R.A. Dickey. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays sign free agent DH Kendrys Morales and Cuban prospect Lourdes Gurriel Jr., sending signals that the era of Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion, who are both free agents, may be over.

2016 – In off-season dealings, the Braves sign their second 40-something starting pitcher in two days, inking Bartolo Colon to a contract one day after adding R.A. Dickey. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays sign free agent DH Kendrys Morales and Cuban prospect Lourdes Gurriel Jr., sending signals that the era of Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion, who are both free agents, may be over.

In his first season as a major league skipper, Matt Williams wins the National League Manager of the Year Award for leading the Nationals to the best record in the circuit; in the American League, Buck Showalter wins for the third time after taking the Orioles to a division title.

In his first season as a major league skipper, Matt Williams wins the National League Manager of the Year Award for leading the Nationals to the best record in the circuit; in the American League, Buck Showalter wins for the third time after taking the Orioles to a division title.

Buck Showalter, who led the Orioles to a divisional title for the first time since 1997, is selected as the American League Manager of the Year by the BBWAA. The Baltimore skipper cops the honor for the third time (1994 Yankees and 2004 Rangers ) in his career, joining Bobby Cox, Tony LaRussa, Dusty Baker, Jim Leyland, and Lou Piniella in winning the award three or more times.

Buck Showalter, who led the Orioles to a divisional title for the first time since 1997, is selected as the American League Manager of the Year by the BBWAA. The Baltimore skipper cops the honor for the third time (1994 Yankees and 2004 Rangers ) in his career, joining Bobby Cox, Tony LaRussa, Dusty Baker, Jim Leyland, and Lou Piniella in winning the award three or more times.

Pitcher Jose Fernandez of the Marlins is voted the National League Rookie of the Year, while OF Wil Myers of the Tampa Bay Rays, who was obtained in a big off-season trade, is the winner in the American League.

Pitcher Jose Fernandez of the Marlins is voted the National League Rookie of the Year, while OF Wil Myers of the Tampa Bay Rays, who was obtained in a big off-season trade, is the winner in the American League.

General Manager Ben Cherington of the Boston Red Sox is named The Sporting News Executive of the Year for his remarkable work in rebuilding the team after it finished last in the AL Central in 2012, taking it all the way to a World Series title.

General Manager Ben Cherington of the Boston Red Sox is named The Sporting News Executive of the Year for his remarkable work in rebuilding the team after it finished last in the AL Central in 2012, taking it all the way to a World Series title.

Rays outfielder Wil Myers, obtained in the off-season from the Royals along with three other prospects in exchange for James Shields and Wade Davis, wins the American League Rookie of the Year Award. The 22 year-old North Carolina native, who received 23 of 30 first-place votes from the BBWAA, joins third baseman Evan Longoria (2008) and right-hander Jeremy Hellickson (2011) as the third Tampa Bay player in the last six years to cop the freshman honor.

Rays outfielder Wil Myers, obtained in the off-season from the Royals along with three other prospects in exchange for James Shields and Wade Davis, wins the American League Rookie of the Year Award. The 22 year-old North Carolina native, who received 23 of 30 first-place votes from the BBWAA, joins third baseman Evan Longoria (2008) and right-hander Jeremy Hellickson (2011) as the third Tampa Bay player in the last six years to cop the freshman honor.

The Dodgers confirm their manager Don Mattingly will return for his fourth season with the team. The skipper’s future in Los Angeles was uncertain early in the season until the club went on a record-setting 42-8 tear en route to the NL West division title

The Dodgers confirm their manager Don Mattingly will return for his fourth season with the team. The skipper’s future in Los Angeles was uncertain early in the season until the club went on a record-setting 42-8 tear en route to the NL West division title

The Braves announce the franchise will be leaving Turner Field, a ballpark that is newer than 13 of the other 29 major league stadiums when their initial 20-year lease expires after the 2016 season. Team executives, disappointed with Atlanta’s inability to support needed renovations for the venue, cite their fan base is unwilling to attend games because of the city’s crippling downtown traffic congestion and the lack of adequate parking around the stadium.

The Braves announce the franchise will be leaving Turner Field, a ballpark that is newer than 13 of the other 29 major league stadiums when their initial 20-year lease expires after the 2016 season. Team executives, disappointed with Atlanta’s inability to support needed renovations for the venue, cite their fan base is unwilling to attend games because of the city’s crippling downtown traffic congestion and the lack of adequate parking around the stadium.

Jose Fernandez (12-6, 2.19) receives 26 of 30 first-place votes from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America to easily win the National League’s Rookie of the Year award. The 21 year-old right-hander, who defected from Cuba with his mother and sister in 2008, becomes the fourth Marlin player in the last 11 years to cop the freshman honor, joining Chris Coghlan (2009), Hanley Ramirez (2006) and Dontrelle Willis (2003).

Jose Fernandez (12-6, 2.19) receives 26 of 30 first-place votes from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America to easily win the National League’s Rookie of the Year award. The 21 year-old right-hander, who defected from Cuba with his mother and sister in 2008, becomes the fourth Marlin player in the last 11 years to cop the freshman honor, joining Chris Coghlan (2009), Hanley Ramirez (2006) and Dontrelle Willis (2003).