Morning Marquee: Clayton Kershaw, Mike Trout named MVP

The Los Angeles Angels Mike Trout became the youngest unanimous MVP at 23, and the Los Angeles Dodgers Clayton Kershaw became the first NL pitcher to win both the Cy Young and MVP since Bob Gibson in 1968. It was a good day to be from Los Angeles.

Trout’s spectacular season led to the unanimous victory, beating Detroit’s Victor Martinez who didn’t have a bad year himself. Trout hit .287, with 36 home runs and 111 RBIs, with 115 runs scored. He had finished second in the vote each of the last two seasons, but left no question this season, winning it unanimously.

What else can be said about Kershaw? He adds a Most Valuable Player Award to his Cy Young from Thursday, and solidified one of the finest seasons for a pitcher in baseball history. Now all that eludes him is a World Series title, which the Dodgers hope to be in the hunt for again in 2015.

The Miami Marlins and Giancarlo Stanton are in discussions for a possible 12-year, $320 million deal, per reports. The deal was rumored to be for 10-years at $300 million before Stanton finished second on the NL MVP vote. The deal would eclipse the record deals signed by Miguel Cabrera and Alex Rodriguez in past years.

The Chicago Cubs finished the season with what seemed to be nine outfielders, with the possibility of more before the 2015 season begins. Prior to free agent signings, trades, and spring training; who will the starters be next season? The answers might not be as obvious as they seem.

Here are some of the top stories from yesterday:

‘Troutstanding! Mike Trout wins 2014 AL MVP’ – Halo Hangout

‘Clayton Kershaw wins 2014 NL MVP’ – Lasorda’s Lair

‘Marlins, Stanton discussing 12/320M deal’ – Marlin Maniac

‘Forecasting the Chicago Cubs outfield in 2015’ – Cubbies Crib

‘Japan knocks around MLB countrymen’ – MLB.com