BBWAA set to name top rookies

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Bailey, Coghlan named league's top rookies

Oakland Athletics closer Andrew Bailey and Florida Marlins outfielder Chris Coghlan have been named the Jackie Robinson Award winners as the top rookies in the American and National League, respectively, as voted on by members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

Bailey, Oakland's first Rookie of the Year winner since Huston Street in 2005, placed first on 13 of the 28 ballots cast and received a total of 88 points. He was also second on six and third on five other ballots to finish 23 points ahead of Texas shortstop Elvis Andrus, who placed first on eight ballots. Detroit righty Rick Porcello finished third and received seven first-place votes.

It marks the eighth time that an A's player has won the rookie award, tying the New York Yankees for the most winners in the league. The overall mark is held by the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League with 16.

Happ, Beckham named top rookies by peers

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher J.A. Happ and Chicago White Sox infielder Gordon Beckham were named the top rookies by the Major League Baseball Players Association.

Happ started the 2009 season in the Phillies' bullpen and joined the starting rotation in late May. He finished the year with a record of 12-4 and a 2.93 earned run average for the National League champions. The 27-year-old lefty struck out 119 batters in 166 innings and posted a pair of shutouts.

Beckham didn't make his 2009 season debut until June 4 and finished the campaign with 14 homers, 63 runs batted in and a .270 batting average in 103 games.

MLB's offseason off and running

"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring."- Rogers Hornsby.

Mr. Hornsby would not have that problem these days, because there is no offseason anymore in baseball. The champagne is barely dry from the New York Yankees 27th World Series celebration, and the general managers' meetings are already nearing their conclusion in Chicago.

MLB does not have much on the NFL, but when it comes to the offseason, there is not another sport that even comes close to generating the kind of excitement that baseball does.

Pujols expected to take home third MVP Award

The Baseball Writers' Association of America will hand out its final postseason award on Tuesday, as the National League's Most Valuable Player will be announced.

There does not seem to be much intrigue, as it would be a complete upset if St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols does not repeat and win his third MVP Award in the last the five years.

Pujols, who has already been named the Sporting News Player of the Year and the Outstanding Player of the Year by the MLBPA this offseason, hit .327 with a career-best 47 home runs, 135 RBI, 124 runs scored, 45 doubles, one triple, and a team-high 16 stolen bases this year.

Pujols named Player of the Year by peers

St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols was honored as the Player of the Year in voting among his major league peers.

Pujols, also the NL's Outstanding Player, had one of his best statistical seasons in 2009, leading the league in homers (47), runs scored (124), on-base percentage (.443), slugging (.658) and total bases (374). In 160 games, the 29-year-old finished with a .327 batting average and 135 runs batted in, and the Cardinals won their fourth NL Central title in six seasons.

This marks the third time Pujols has been recognized with the Player of the Year award. His stellar nine-year career has seen him hit .314 or higher with at least 32 homers and 103 RBI in each season -- all with the Cardinals.