Anthony Rizzo finished fourth in the voting for NL MVP for the second straight year. Rizzo had 202 points, 38 behind Corey Seager (240) and just 43 points back of Daniel Murphy (245) for runner-up to Kris Bryant for the NL MVP.
Rizzo won the Gold and Platinum Glove Awards along with the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year for his defense. Rizzo also took home the NL Silver Slugger Award for first base.
Rizzo played in 155 games, and offensively his numbers were very similar to the ones of his ‘Bryzzo Souvenir Co.’ partner and NL MVP, Kris Bryant.
Rizzo batted .292/.385/.544 with 43 doubles, four triples and 32 home runs for a .928 OPS. Rizzo had 170 hits with 109 RBI and 74 walks with 108 strikeouts.
Bryant batted .292/.385/.554 with 35 doubles, three triples and 39 home runs for a .939 OPS. Bryant had 176 hits with 102 RBI and 75 walks with 154 strikeouts.
According to a report from Patrick Mooney, Rizzo received a pay increase for the 2019 season after back-to-back top five finishes in the NL MVP voting. Rizzo’s salary for the 2019 season went from $11 million to $12 million and the club options for 2020 and 2021 increased to $16.5 million, up from $14.5 million.
Anthony Rizzo is scheduled to make $7 million in 2017.
While Kris Bryant was the best player in the National League, an argument could easily be made that Anthony Rizzo was the Cubs’ most important player.
Travis Wood
Free agent LHP Travis Wood is garnering attention from teams. According to a report from the Miami Herald, the Marlins are interested in Wood as a starting pitcher.
Wood thrived the last two years under Joe Maddon as the Cubs swingman and spot starter out of the bullpen … and occasional left fielder, pinch-runner and pinch-hitter.
Wood was the longest tenured player on the Cubs’ roster when the season ended after he was acquired in the Sean Marshall deal with the Reds in December 2011.
Wood was 4-0 in 77 games with a 2.95 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 4.54 FIP this past season. Wood did not make a single start for the first time in his career.
As a reliever, Wood is 8-2 in 126 appearances with a 2.83 ERA and 1.14 WHIP. Wood is 35-50 in 133 career starts with a 4.19 ERA and 1.29 WHIP.
Andrew Cashner
Andrew Cashner has a new team. According to multiple reports, Cashner agreed to terms on a one-year, $10 million contract with the Rangers. Jon Daniels has finally landed Cashner after years of trying to acquire him.
Cashner struggled after the trade to Miami from San Diego and shaving off his beard. Cashner made 12 appearances, 11 starts, for the Marlins and was 1-4 with a 5.98 ERA, 1.74 WHIP and 4.68 FIP. Cashner pitched in 28 games and made 27 starts for the Padres and Marlins last season. Cashner was 5-11 with a 5.25 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 4.84 FIP.
Brett Cecil
The Cardinals opened up the checkbook and found a way to replace LHP Zach Duke in their bullpen.
According to multiple reports, the Cardinals agreed to terms on a four-year, $30.5 million contract with left-handed reliever Brett Cecil. And not only are the Cardinals overpaying him to get Anthony Rizzo, Kyle Schwarber and Jason Heyward out late in games, Cecil received a full no-trade clause.
Cecil is coming off a down season with the Blue Jays. Cecil was 1-7 in 54 games with a 3.93 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 3.64 FIP. Cecil didn’t exactly do his job against left-handed hitters. Lefties hit .258/.310/.364 with a .673 OPS against him in 51 games.
Over his career, left-handers have batted .226/.281/.344 with a .625 OPS and right-handers have hit .273/.342/.457 with a .800 OPS.
Multiple executives and agents told Jeff Passan that Cecil’s deal “is a market changer.” Passan reported relief pitchers are “gonna cash in this off-season.”
Gleyber Torres
Gleyber Torres had an excellent fall in Arizona. And Saturday he was named MVP of the Arizona Fall League.
Torres hit .403/.513/.645 with four doubles, a triple and three home runs for a 1.158 OPS. Torres had 25 hits in 18 games with 15 runs scored, 14 walks and eight strikeouts in 62 at-bats. Torres impressed not only offensively but he also received excellent reviews for his defense.
Torres is the youngest MVP in Arizona Fall League history.
As I finish up the Arizona Fall League with these nice awards, I am super proud of the fans who supported me this season pic.twitter.com/AUgKSbNNFg
— Gleyber Torres (@TorresGleyber) November 19, 2016
Gleyber Torres turns 20 next month (December 13).
News, Notes and Rumors
• The Tribune reported the Cubs have plenty to ponder when designing their World Series rings.
• Tommy Stokke asked if the Cubs should make Javier Baez their everyday second baseman next year or keep him as a utility player. Stokke reported “Cubs people prefer Baez moving around the diamond defensively, while still getting mostly-regular at-bats … at least for now.” The Cubs would prefer to keep Baez in a utility role. And Stokke pointed out that if it was not for the stretch in the postseason in which he earned the Co-MVP Award in the NLCS, there probably would not be talk there is about him being the Cubs everyday second baseman.
• David Ross’ Game 7 equipment sold for $50,000. According to the Tribune, Grant DePorter paid Fanatics Authentics $50,000 for Ross’ signed helmet, chest protector and shin guards. DePorter will showcase the items at the Chicago Sports Museum as part of the display to honor the 2016 World Series Champions.
• The Blue Jays are looking for a left-handed leadoff hitter. Adam Eaton and Dexter Fowler are among the options the Jays are exploring according to Jon Paul Morosi.
• According to Joel Sherman, Aroldis Chapman is at the top of the Yankees’ shopping list. And Chapman knows the Yankees want him back. In his latest notes column, Ken Rosenthal explained the Yankees are positioned to make major moves.
• The Yankees designated RHP Nathan Eovaldi for assignment. Eovaldi is rehabbing from Tommy John Surgery and will not pitch during the 2017 season. Joel Sherman reported he could see “the Yankees or another team signing Eovaldi to a two-year deal with low bases to rehab in 2017, pitch and reestablish value in 2018.”
• Jeff Passan reported the White Sox and Dodgers are perfect trade partners. According to Passan, “the more open the White Sox are to dealing from their core, the more the industry agrees” the Dodgers would be the perfect trade partner. Chris Sale, Jose Quintana, Todd Frazier and David Robertson “fits what the Dodgers need” and the Sox like Cody Bellinger, Alex Verdugo, Jose De Leon, Willie Calhoun and Yasiel Puig.
• The Angels designated RHP Blake Parker for assignment.
• The A’s added RHP Paul Blackburn to their 40-man roster prior to Friday’s deadline.
• According to Chris Cotillo, RHP Anthony Bass is healthy and looking to pitch in the majors again after spending a year in Japan. Bass just turned 29 and made his big league debut for Jed Hoyer’s Padres in June 2011. Bass went 8-8 in 37 games, 14 starts, with a 3.65 ERA and 1.43 WHIP for the Nippon Ham Fighters.
And last, but not least, the Mesa Solar Sox won the AFL Championship on Saturday afternoon. Ian Happ had a huge day. James Farris tossed a perfect ninth to close out the game. Click here for a full report with video … or just watch the quick clips below.
Righty tighty lefty loosey:@Cubs' Ian Happ (@ihapp_1) goes yard from both sides of the plate in today's @MLBazFallLeague championship game. pic.twitter.com/gZgv0VFGaw
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) November 20, 2016
This Day in Cubstory
2013 – Cubs signed free agent Casper Wells
2007 – Cubs signed free agent Cory Bailey
2007 – Cubs signed free agent Andres Blanco
2007 – Cubs signed free agent J.D. Closser
2007 – Cubs signed free agent Mike Smith
2007 – Cubs signed free agent Andres Torres
2006 – Cubs signed free agent Alfonso Soriano
2006 – Cubs signed free agent Mike Kinkade
2001 – Cubs signed free agent Joe Borowski
2000 – Cubs acquired Matt Stairs from the A’s for Eric Ireland
1996 – Cubs acquired Miguel Cairo from the Blue Jays for Jason Stevenson
1989 – Cubs traded Mitch Webster to the Indians for Dave Clark
1987 – Don Zimmer was named Cubs manager. Zimmer was hired by Jim Frey and put together a 265-258 record in his three-plus years as the skipper of the Cubs. The Boys of Zimmer were the 1989 National League Eastern Division Champions.
1981 – Sam Fuld, born
1967 – Alex Arias, born
1952 – Hank Sauer was named National League Most Valuable Player
1947 – Cubs selected Jackie Mayo from the Phillies in the Rule 5 Draft
1945 – Rick Monday, born
1945 – Jay Johnstone, born
1869 – Clark Griffith, born
November 19
2015 – Cubs selected Jack Leathersich off waivers from the Mets
2013 – Cubs signed free agent Chris Valaika
2013 – Cubs released Dave Sappelt
2012 – Cubs signed free agent Shawn Camp
2009 – Cubs signed free agent John Grabow
2009 – Cubs traded Aaron Heilman to the Diamondbacks for Ryne White and Scott Maine
2001 – Cubs signed free agent Kevin Orie
1982 – Jonathan Sanchez, born
1981 – Jeff Gray, born
1979 – John-Ford Griffin, born
1966 – Jeff Hartsock, born
1956 – Dickie Noles, born
1951 – Cubs selected Harvey Gentry from the Giants in the Rule 5 Draft
1951 – Cubs selected Bud Hardin from the Cardinals in the Rule 5 Draft
1938 – Manny Jimenez, born