Morning Marquee: Royals Gordon, Cardinals Molina win Platinum Glove Awards

It seems that with all the postseason hardware that’s handed out, you’d think it would be hard not to get a piece. But the same players keep cleaning up the awards. The Royals Alex Gordon and the Cardinals Yadier Molina were named Platinum Glove winners as the top fielders in their respective leagues. The award is based on fan vote and the SABR Defensive Index. For Molina, it was his third since the awards inception four years ago.

With the Chicago Cubs hire of Joe Maddon, expectations have climbed in Chicago before the first big free agent shot has been fired. The odds of the Cubs winning the World Series, according to one online sportsbook, jumped from 50-1 to 20-1. With those sort of expectations, if the Cubs don’t succeed, are some going to blame it on being cursed? They will, but the front office isn’t concerned with any of those things, and will continue to follow the plan that’s been in place since day one.

The Marlins Casey McGehee and the Mariners Chris Young took home Comeback Player of the Year honors in their respective leagues. The award, sanctioned by Major League Baseball, is given to one player from each league who re-emerges on the field. After finishing fourth in the 2009 Rookie of the Year voting, McGehee found himself playing in Japan last year before getting another opportunity with the Marlins. Young, a 2007 All-Star for the Padres, won 12 games for the Mariners for his first double-digit win season in eight years. He had been battling injuries before being cut loose by the Padres.

Here are some of the headlines from yesterday:

”The Chicago Cubs “Catch-22” of hiring Joe Maddon’ – Cubbies Crib

‘McGehee, Young win Comeback Player of the Year honors’ – Call to the Pen

‘Gordon, Yadi collect Platinum Glove Awards’ – MLB.com

‘Red Sox first to meet with Sandoval’s agent’ – Call to the Pen

‘J.J. Putz joins Diamondbacks’ front office’ – Venom Strikes