NL East: Harper wins ROY; Marlins Usual Firesale

By Hannah McCaffrey

Harper wins National League Rookie of the Year

(AP Photo/Haraz Ghanbari)

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper was recently named the National League Rookie of the Year.  He is the first member of the Nationals organization to win the award, and at 20 years old he is the second youngest Rookie of the Year recipient, after Dwight Gordon in 1987.

The Washington Post reported Harper as saying ‘”This is a great award, and I’m so excited and proud of it,’ Harper said.  ‘But my biggest thing is I want to win a World Series.  I want to put that ring on my finger and give that to the town and city of D.C.  They deserve that.’”

Davey Johnson wins National League Manager of the Year Award

Washington Nationals manager Davey Johnson was named National League Manager of the Year.  Johnson joined the Nationals in the 2011 season.  By 2012 Johnson helped lead the Nationals to a 98-64 record, the best record in baseball for the entire season.  Johnson was able to harness a talented team and bring them to achieving a very successful season.

Possible Marlins Moves

It is speculated that the Miami Marlins are putting together a blockbuster deal with the Toronto Blue Jays.  Sources say that Miami might be trading shortstop Jose Reyes, pitcher Josh Johnson, and pitcher Mark Buehrle to the Toronto.  In addition to these star players there are also talks of catcher John Buck and outfielder Emilio Bonifacio.

Previously, the Marlins went on a spending spree in hopes to build a strong team with a chance at winning the World Series, as well as buying some big names to attract fans.  The Marlins now seem to be trying to get rid of this Hollywood-like budget as quickly as possible.

The Marlins already traded pitcher Heath Bell, if the current trade on the table goes through Miami will have virtually no roster.  USA Today reported that the Bell trade combined with the Blue Jays trade means that “the Marlins will have shed $186 million in future salaries.”

If the trade goes through, sources say the Marlins will receive shortstop Yunel Escobar and pitcher Henderson Alvarez along with several other prospects.

In the 2012 season, Miami finished in last place in the NL East with a mediocre 69-93 record.  The Marlins already fired manager Ozzie Guillen.  The team doesn’t have much to loose other than big salaries, a clean house could mean a fresh start for the team.