Niemann Takes Fourth

Several weeks ago I had the pleasure of voting for the BBA's rookie of the year awards; if you'll remember I voted for Tampa's own Jeff Niemann, but in the end he finished 4th (behind Bailey, Porcello, and Andrus respectively), despite my poignant statistical evidence that Niemann's performance proved to be the most deserving of the award.

Check out my reasoning here.

Well, it turns out that the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BWAA) agreed (for the most part) with the sentiments of the BBA, giving the award to Bailey, followed by Andrus, Porcello, and Niemann in a distant fourth.

All four players had stellar seasons, but I still feel as if Andrus was a media darling who only received so many looks based on how often his name was bandied about by the mainstream media, but I digress.

Congrats to Niemann and all of he finalists.

What About Bronze?

Evan Longoria received his first Gold Glove Award earlier this week, and now has been honored with a Silver Slugger Award.

What is a Silver Slugger Award? Its an award given to the best offensive player at each position from both leagues. What makes this award valid is the fact that its voted on by the managers and coaches (they may not vote for players on their own squad).

Longoria finished the 2009 campaign with 113 RBI and 33 homeruns (shhh, don't tell anyone how many GIDP's he had (27)).

Dirtbag is the youngest third baseman to receive the award, and the second Tampa Bay player (Carlos Pena).

So what's next, the Bronze Belt Buckle Award?

Congrats Mr D.!

Dirtbag's Shiny Glove

According to AP reports Evan Longoria has officially won his first Gold Glove Award. I'll go way out on a limb and assume that it will not be his last.

The interesting aspect of Longoria winning the award is that I feel that he was far from his best this season, so if that's all it takes to garner a Gold Glove then so-be-it, he better start erecting a wing in his home for those awards which are forthcoming.

Longo was joined by Jeter, Teixeira, Ichiro, Hunter, Adam Jones, Palanco, Buehrle, and Mauer in receiving the award.

Congrats Evan!

Rays Exercise CC's Option

Not a huge surprise, but the Rays have exercised their option on CC and his $10M salary for the 2010 season.

CC has been the heart of the young organization; owning the franchise marks in hits, AB's, SB's, runs, RBI, and triples, and of course games played.

Much speculation has been made as to whether or not the Rays will still try ot move him during the offseason or at some point during the first half of next season (depending greatly on whether or not the Rays are in contention in 2010).

Rays Index sums it up fairly well here.

Other roster moves included declining the options of catcher Gregg Zaun and reliever Brian Shouse, neither of which came as a surprise, although many (myself included) would like to see the Rays bring Zaun back with a lower salary. The organization also pick-up Ramon Ramirez off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds

Sayonara, Akinora Iwamura

It's official. The Rays have traded infielder Akinori Iwamura to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for right-handed, relief pitcher, Jesse Chavez.

Chavez, 26, finished the 2009 season with an ERA of 4.01 while recording 47 K's and 22 BB's.

Chavez should have a legitimate chance at procuring a roster spot for the 2010 season.

By making the trade before the official end of the season the Rays saved around 1/2 million dollars.

I think in the long run that Ben Zobrist will end-up costing the Rays more, but in the short term this move seemed all but inevitable, especially considering that the Rays will have no choice but to continue to carry Burrell's inflated salary, as well as the $10M that Crawford is due.