St. Louis Cardinals C Yadier Molina has won his sixth straight Gold Glove award, making him one of four players in the World Series rewarded for superior defense this season.
Boston Red Sox 2B Dustin Pedroia and RF Shane Victorino also were honored Tuesday, along with Cardinals P Adam Wainwright.
Colorado 3B Nolan Arenado became the 10th rookie to win a Gold Glove and first since outfielder Ichiro Suzuki in 2001. Atlanta SS Andrelton Simmons and Baltimore 3B Manny Machado also were among the eight first-time recipients.
The Orioles and Royals had three winners apiece, tied for the most of any team. Kansas City LF Alex Gordon won his third in a row.
Other AL winners: P R.A. Dickey, Toronto; C Salvatore Perez, Kansas City; 1B Eric Hosmer, Kansas City; SS J.J. Hardy, Baltimore; and CF Adam Jones, Baltimore.
Other NL winners: 1B Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona; 2B Brandon Phillips, Cincinnati; LF Carlos Gonzalez, Colorado; CF Carlos Gomez, Milwaukee; and RF Gerardo Parra, Arizona.
ANGELS COULD SHOP TRUMBO, BOURJOS
The Los Angeles Angels were one of baseball's most disappointing teams in 2013, in large part because of subpar pitching. The team was fifth worst in the American League in terms of runs allowed (737) and ERA (4.24).
So it's no suprise that finding pitching will be a priority for the Angels this offseason. ESPN's Buster Olney reports L.A. may be willing to deal 1B Mark Trumbo and/or CF Peter Bourjos to get some arms.
Trumbo, 27, has emerged as one of the AL's top power hitters, hitting 95 home runs over the last three seasons. He finished fourth in the league with 34 dingers while driving in 100 runs in 2013.
But he hit just .234 with a .294 on-base percentage, limiting his offensive value.
Bourjos, 26, is an elite fielder with limited hitting skills (.274/.333/.377 with three home runs in 55 games this season).
WHITE SOX REACH ABREU DEAL
Cuban slugger Jose Abreu couldn't pass up the chance to play alongside his countrymen on the Chicago White Sox.
Abreu officially finalized a six-year, $68-million with the White Sox on Tuesday, about a week-and-a-half after the sides reached an agreement. He is the organization's 17th Cuban player and the third currently on the roster, joining shortstop Alexei Ramirez and outfielder Dayan Viciedo.
"I know there were other teams interested but the support that I would have from Cuban players like Alexei and Dayan and from the beginning, they were interested and showed their interest," Abreu said through a translator. "When it came down to where it will be, it was pretty simple to pick the White Sox."
Abreu's agent Barry Praver said as many as eight teams were seriously involved before the list was narrowed to five finalists. All five final offers were at least $60 million.
The 26-year-old Abreu will receive a signing bonus of $10 million, with $6 million payable upon approval by Major League Baseball and $4 million due Nov. 14, 2014. He will get salaries of $7 million in each of the next two seasons, $10 million in 2016, $10.5 million in 2017, $11.5 million in 2018 and $12 million in 2019.
Praver said Abreu also has the right to opt out of the contract when he becomes arbitration eligible, though he would still be under White Sox control through arbitration. Praver described the negotiations as lengthy and competitive, which lasted two weeks from when teams were asked to submit their initial offers.
"He's A-plus in terms as far as dealing with a person," Praver said. "Very humble, very professional."
CABRERA HAS SURGERY
Miguel Cabrera underwent muscle repair surgery Tuesday and the Detroit slugger is expected to be ready for spring training.
The Tigers revealed after the season that Cabrera had been limited down the stretch by a tear in his groin. He still hit .348 with 44 home runs and 137 RBIs during the season. Cabrera batted .262 with two home runs in 11 postseason games before Detroit lost to Boston in the AL championship series.
The operation was performed by Dr. Bill Meyers in Philadelphia and the team said Monday that it was successful. Cabrera faces 6-8 weeks of rehabilitation.
CALL THEM RUBBERDUCKS
Splish, splash, Akron's minor league team is ready for a bath.
No longer known as the Aeros, they're now the RubberDucks.
The Class-AAA affiliate for the Cleveland Indians announced the new nickname on Tuesday. Team owner Ken Babby said the RubberDucks nickname and logo are designed to "honor the history of Akron and the rubber industry while creating a new identity that was fun, exciting, and family-friendly."
The team's primary logo consists of a snarling, tire-treaded duck's head accentuated by flames. The team's new official color combination of "blue flame, racing yellow, fire orange and tire black pays" tribute to Akron's heritage as the "Rubber City."
Akron's team had been known as the Aeros for the past 17 seasons, adopting the nickname when the club moved into Canal Park in 1997.
Contributors: Justin McGuire, The Associated Press