September 5, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager (5) hits a three run home run in the fifth inning against Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium. Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sport
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager and Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Michael Fulmer were named the respective National and American League Rookies of the Year on Monday night.
A first-round pick (18th overall) in the 2012 MLB Draft, the 22-year-old Seager was unanimously selected for the honor by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.
Seager hit .308 with 26 home runs, 72 RBIs and 105 runs scored in 157 games this season.
Fulmer, 23, posted an 11-7 record with a 3.06 ERA and 132 strikeouts over 159 innings in 26 starts in 2016.
Fulmer was traded to Detroit in the July 31, 2015, deal that sent star outfielder Yoenis Cespedes to New York.
–Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu opted out of his multiyear contract, making him eligible for salary arbitration for the next three years, the team announced.
However, Abreu remains under the White Sox’s control through the 2019 season.
Abreu, 29, had three years and $34 million left on a six-year contract he signed in October 2013. But the contract allowed him to opt out and enter the arbitration process as soon as he became eligible. With three years of big league service, Abreu is now eligible to go through salary arbitration.
–Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson and New York Mets second baseman Neil Walker accepted their respective team’s one-year, $17.2 million qualifying offers.
Hellickson and Walker were the only two of the 10 players extended qualifying offers this offseason to accept them.
Among those who did not accept their qualifying offers were New York Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter/first baseman Edwin Encarnacion and right fielder Jose Bautista, Baltimore Orioles designated hitter Mark Trumbo, Chicago Cubs center fielder Dexter Fowler, Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner and relief pitcher Kenley Jansen, and Texas Rangers shortstop/outfielder Ian Desmond.
All eight of those players will remain free agents, but any team that signs them must surrender their first-round draft pick (top 10 protected) to the player’s former team.
