Kimbrel, Hellickson Take Home ROY Awards

From Joey Nowak:

Braves closer Craig Kimbrel and Rays starter Jeremy Hellickson received high honors for their outstanding first full seasons in the Major Leagues on Monday, as they were named the winners of this year's Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Awards.

Kimbrel, 23, won the National League's award and was the seventh member of the Braves -- and fifth in the Atlanta era -- to do so. Hellickson joined teammate Evan Longoria to become the second player in Tampa Bay team history to be recognized as the American League's top rookie.

Kimbrel, who set a Major League record for saves by a rookie with 46, was the favorite for the award. His saves total led the NL, and he finished with a 2.10 ERA and 127 strikeouts in 77 innings for Atlanta, which just nearly missed out on the playoffs after a late-season slide.

Hellickson, 24, was a workhorse in a young Tampa Bay rotation that helped fuel the Rays to a late-season surge and into the playoffs via the AL Wild Card. He was 13-10 with a 2.95 ERA, ranking eighth in the league in ERA and striking out 117 hitters in 189 innings.

Ivan Nova finished 4th in the AL voting, picking up just one first place vote. Voting results can be found here.

This Week in Yankees History (11/13-11/19)

This Week in Yankees History 

November 13th - 19th

November 13th

1882 - Former Yankees INF Ezra “Salt Rock” Midkiff (1912-1913) was born. Ezra Midkiff hit .207 in 104 games for the Yankees.

1884 - Former Yankees OF Pete Daley (1914-1915) was born. On June 13, 1914, Pete Daley was traded by the Philadelphia A’s to the New York Yankees for OF/INF Jimmy Walsh. Pete hit .250 in 79 games for the Yankees.

1925 - Former Yankees OF Jim Delsing (1949-1951) was born. On December 14, 1948, Jim Delsing was traded by the Chicago White Sox to the New York Yankees for OF Steve Souchock. He appeared in 21 games with the Yankees as a reserve outfielder. On June 15,1950, Jim was traded by the Yankees along with P Don Johnson, P Duane Pillette, INF George “Snuffy” Stirnweiss, and $50,000 to the St. Louis Browns for Pitchers Tom Ferrick, P Joe Ostrowski, and 3B Leo Thomas.

1931 - New York Yankees owner Jacob Ruppert buys the Newark Bears (International League) franchise. The Newark Bears will be very successful and will send many players to the Yankees. The 1938-1939 Newark Bears were considered to the best Yankee farm teams in the team’s minor league system history and in minor league baseball history as well. In 1950, the Yankees sell the team to the Chicago Cubs, who move to the team to Springfield, MA.

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CC on Papelbon's Move To Philly

From the NY Daily News:

“I just saw that about an hour ago and I’m not going to miss him,” Yankee ace CC Sabathia said while at the kickoff party for his “CC Challenge” charity scavenger hunt Saturday. “He’s a great pitcher and he was good for them. It just makes the Phillies that much better.

“If our ultimate goal is to win the World Series, I’m sure we’re going to have to see them (Philadelphia) at the end of the season.”

...

“He was a good player,” Sabathia said. “In that rivalry, if you’re a good player, people hate you, whatever side you’re on. I think that’s just a tribute to his talent.”

Papelbon Signs With Philly

Earlier in the week it was reported on MLB Trade Rumors that the Phillies talks with their now former closer, Ryan Madson, fell through and that they were interested in the former Red Sock.

For the Sox, who obviously didn't feel like Papelbon was worth the money will now either hand the job over to Daniel Bard or look to sign one of the available closers. That list includes many quality arms, including Heath Bell, Jonathan Broxton, Matt Capps, Francisco Cordero, Frank Francisco, Ryan Madson, Joe Nathan, Jon Rauch, and Francisco Rodriguez.

Marchand on Cespedes

Posada Says His Days in The Bronx Are Over

From Mike Mazzeo:

Jorge Posada remains undecided on his future but believes it won't be with the New York Yankees.

"It's not gonna happen," Posada said Wednesday night at a Manhattan function for The Jorge Posada Foundation. "I don't think there is even a percentage of a chance that I can come back."

The free agent says he's not bitter with the organization he has played for his entire career. He said five or six teams have shown interest in his services.

"I will always be a Yankee. The New York Yankees, for me, is my second family," Posada said. "It'd be tough to put on another uniform for real and learn a new set of rules. But it's one of those things where I have to see if I wanna keep playing."

"At the end of the day, it's a business," he added. "You look back and you wish there were some things that could've gone differently, but they didn't. Everything happened for a reason. I'm not bitter at the Yankees. I'm not bitter at (manager) Joe Girardi. I'm not bitter at (general manager) Brian Cashman. It just happens."

...

"I started working out again Nov. 1 like I always do, but I have no idea what's gonna happen," Posada said. "A lot of teams called after the season was over. I'm undecided. I don't know if I wanna play or stay home. I'm having fun with the kids and my family, but I don't know what I wanna do. I don't wanna make the mistake of telling you that I'm not gonna play or telling you that I am gonna play when I don't know what I wanna do."

This comes as no surprise to me and I'm sure to many other Yankees fans out there. I just hope he hangs it up. He had a great career with one team and that's the legacy he should maintain. It's a rare thing these days, and there's no reason to ruin it by hanging on for one more year.

Olney Says Yanks Likely Won't Sign Buehrle

Yanks Hold Private Workout For Cuban Defector