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Little bits of Blue Jays news:
- In the "this was obvious" file, Josh Donaldson won the AL Silver Slugger at third base. I thought Jose Bautista had a good shot at a win. Also I don't see Kendrys Morales (.290/.362/.485) besting Edwin Encarnacion (.277/.372/.557). It seems to me one of those clearly has the better stats. Maybe park factors? The full list:
American League
First base: Miguel Cabrera, Tigers
Second base: Jose Altuve, Astros
Shortstop: Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox
Third base: Josh Donaldson, Blue Jays
Catcher: Brian McCann, Yankees
Outfield: Mike Trout, Angels; Nelson Cruz, Mariners; J.D. Martinez, Tigers
Second base: Jose Altuve, Astros
Shortstop: Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox
Third base: Josh Donaldson, Blue Jays
Catcher: Brian McCann, Yankees
Outfield: Mike Trout, Angels; Nelson Cruz, Mariners; J.D. Martinez, Tigers
Designated hitter: Kendrys Morales, Royals
National League
First base: Paul Goldschmidt, D-backs
Second base: Dee Gordon, Marlins
Shortstop: Brandon Crawford, Giants
Third base: Nolan Arenado, Rockies
Catcher: Buster Posey, Giants
Outfield: Bryce Harper, Nationals; Andrew McCutchen, Pirates; Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies
- And Kevin Pillar won a Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award, for best center fielder in baseball. Wilson figures is Rawlings gives out a defensive award they should as well.
(P) Jacob deGrom - New York Mets
(C) Buster Posey - San Francisco Giants
(1B) Paul Goldschmidt - Arizona Diamondbacks
(2B) Dee Gordon - Miami Marlins
(3B) Nolan Arenado - Colorado Rockies
(SS) Andrelton Simmons - Atlanta Braves*
(C) Buster Posey - San Francisco Giants
(1B) Paul Goldschmidt - Arizona Diamondbacks
(2B) Dee Gordon - Miami Marlins
(3B) Nolan Arenado - Colorado Rockies
(SS) Andrelton Simmons - Atlanta Braves*
(LF) Starling Marte - Pittsburgh Pirates
(CF) Kevin Pillar - Toronto Blue Jays
(RF) Jason Heyward - St. Louis Cardinals
Heyward received the Overall Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2014.
Defensive Team of the Year - Arizona Diamondbacks
Andrelton Simmons named overall 2015 Wilson Defensive Player of the Year
(CF) Kevin Pillar - Toronto Blue Jays
(RF) Jason Heyward - St. Louis Cardinals
Heyward received the Overall Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2014.
Defensive Team of the Year - Arizona Diamondbacks
Andrelton Simmons named overall 2015 Wilson Defensive Player of the Year
If you are wondering why Pillar over the AL Gold Glove winner Kevin Kiermaier, Rob Neyer has an explanation here. The short, Wilson uses different stats.
- In former Jays news, Colby Rasmus became the first player ever to accept a Qualifying offer, he's going to stay with the Astros for another season, being paid $15.8 million next year. I figured Marco Estrada was likely to be the first, he has until tomorrow at 5:00 Eastern, to sign a long term deal or accept the QO or try his luck as a free agent, so we will be hearing something soon.
- And in non-Jays news, the Braves have sent Andrelton Simmons to the Angels for Erick Aybar and pitchers Sean Newcomb and Chris Ellis along with $2.5 million.
Congratulations Josh and Kevin.