Morning Marquee: MLB investigates the Chicago Cubs; Abreau, deGrom ROY’s

At the request of the Tampa Bay Rays, MLB will investigate the Chicago Cubs to see if there was any tampering in the hire of Joe Maddon. The Cubs, as well as Maddon’s agent have been adamant that they followed protocol, and have welcomed any investigation. Maddon had an opt-out clause he chose to use when Andrew Friedman left for Los Angeles. The Rays contend Maddon left because he knew what the Cubs would offer. Alan Nero, Maddon’s agent, pointed out he asked for a three-year, $12 million deal. The best offer from the Rays was a three-year, $9 million deal. If the Cubs are to be found guilty of tampering, the penalty could be monetary, players, or picks.

The White Sox Jose Abreu was the unanimous winner of the AL Rookie of the Year award, gaining all 30 first-place votes. Signed last winter, Abreu proved to be worth every cent, batting .317 with 36 home runs and 107 RBIs while leading all of baseball with a .581 slugging percentage. According to MLB.com, he was the first rookie to rank in the top five of each Triple Crown category.

Jacob deGrom of the New York Mets took home the NL rookie of the year, edging out Billy Hamilton of the Reds and Kolten Wong of the St. Louis Cardinals. After being called up in May, deGrom finished with a 2.69 ERA, a 1.14 WHIP in 140 1/3 innings pitched. deGrom was projected to be in the bullpen, but finished in the Mets rotation, making 22 starts.

The Rays expanded their lost of potential manager candidates on Monday by adding Barry Larkin and Doug Glanville to the preliminary list. Both are currently analysts for ESPN. Glanville spent time with the Chicago Cubs, and well as the Phillies and Rangers. Larkin was a 12-time All-Star, and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2012.

Here are some of the stories from yesterday:

‘MLB probes the Cubs about Maddon hire, per Rays request’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Jose Abreu voted AL Rookie of the Year by the BBWAA’ – Southside Showdown

‘Jacob deGrom wins Rookie of the Year award’ – Rising Apple

‘Could this package bring Hamels to the Cubs?’ – Cubbies Crib

‘MLB takes nail-biter in Japan series preview’ – MLB.com