After two near-misses, Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout was named the American League’s Most Valuable Player on Thursday.
Trout was a runaway unanimous winner this year, receiving all 30 first-place votes from the Baseball Writers Association of America. He finished as the runner-up to Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers the previous two seasons.
Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez was second in the balloting for the award this year and Cleveland Indians outfielder Michael Brantley finished third.
The 23-year-old Trout became the fourth youngest MVP in baseball history and the youngest since 23-year-old Cal Ripken of the Baltimore Orioles in 1983. Oakland Athletics pitcher Vida Blue in 1971, Cincinnati Reds catcher Johnny Bench in 1970 and St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Stan Musial in 1943 were 22 years old when they were named MVP in their respective leagues.
While helping the Angels win the AL West title this year, Trout led the league in runs for the third straight year with 115 and in RBIs with 111 and total bases with 338. His 36 homers were a career high.
–Outfielder Giancarlo Stanton and the Miami Marlins reportedly are discussing a deal that would give Stanton the largest contract in pro sports history.
The Marlins and Stanton are in talks on a deal that would be for at least 10 years and pay Stanton at least $300 million, CBSSports.com reported, based on sources.
Shorter contracts have also been discussed, but it is apparent the Marlins want to sign Stanton.
Stanton’s current contract with the Marlins runs for two more years.
–Yasmany Tomas, a highly touted Cuban baseball player, is scheduled to fly to the United States on Friday to meet with his agent, Jay Alou, VICE Sports reported.
According to the report, a deal with a major-league team could be imminent and might be completed this weekend.
The Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers, Oakland A’s and San Diego Padres are the teams that reportedly have been interested in Tomas, an outfielder who turns 24 on Friday.
—Max Scherzer will learn soon enough the consequences of shaking off the six-year, $144 million offer from the Detroit Tigers.
Scherzer, 30, is a headline free agent on the starting pitching market with Oakland Athletics left-hander Jon Lester, James Shields of the Kansas City Royals and Jeff Samardzija, who split last season between the Chicago Cubs and Athletics.
The Tigers are still interested in retaining Scherzer but hedged at the trade deadline by giving up prospects for Tampa Bay Rays left-hander David Price.
–The Baltimore Orioles are close to re-signing outfielder Nick Markakis to a four-year deal, the New York Post reported.
The deal would be worth about $44 million, according to the report. The contract could also include some deferred money.
The Orioles declined its $17.5 million option on Markakis, making him a free agent, but it was always believed he would stay with Baltimore.
—Barry Zito is making a comeback. At least that is what his agent claims.
Zito did not pitch at all in 2014, but, according to Hardball.com, his agent, Scott Boras, said at the general managers’ meetings this week that Zito has been working out with the goal being to return for the 2015 season.
Zito, 36, went 5-11 with a 5.74 earned-run averaged for the San Francisco Giants in 2013
–Alvin Dark, who was the 1948 rookie of the year and a three-time All-Star as a player and led both the San Francisco Giants and Oakland A’s into the World Series as a manager, has died at age 92.
–Outfielders Jeff Francoeur and Brian Bogusevic signed minor-league deals with the Philadelphia Phillies, who extended non-roster invites to spring training to eight position players.
Andres Blanco, utility man Russ Canzler, infielder Chase d’Arnaud, catcher John Hester and outfielders Darin Mastroianni and Xavier Paul also signed minor-league deals.