MLB notes: Mariners’ Kyle Seager wins Gold Glove at third base
Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager is now on the gold standard when it comes to his fielding skills.
Seager, 27, won a Gold Glove for defensive excellence Tuesday after a season in which, by all major fielding metrics, he showed remarkable improvement.
“It is an honor,” Seager said, “just to be up for the award with all the great third basemen – let alone win the Gold Glove. I really owe a lot to my coaches, especially Chris Woodward. He helped me tremendously.”
Seager beat out Texas’ Adrian Beltre, a four-time recipient, and Oakland’s Josh Donaldson in becoming the first Mariners player to win a Gold Glove since outfielders Franklin Gutierrez and Ichiro Suzuki in 2010.
Second baseman Robinson Cano and pitcher Felix Hernandez were also finalists at their positions. Cano lost to Boston second baseman Dustin Pedroia, while Houston lefty Dallas Keuchel won the pitchers’ award.
The Gold Glove caps a breakthrough year for Seager, who was also picked as an All-Star for the first time in his career and twice chosen as the American League’s player of the week.
The offseason figures to provide at least one more major reward for Seager – a financial one. He is eligible for the first time for arbitration, which positions him for a major jump from his salary of $540,100.
Other A.L. Gold Glove winners: St. Louis catcher Yadier Molina; Kansas City left fielder Alex Gordon, catcher Salvador Perez and first baseman Eric Hosmer; Baltimore center fielder Adam Jones, right fielder Nick Markakis and shortstop J.J. Hardy.
More awards
Hernandez moved a step closer to his second career Cy Young Award when cited by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America as one of three finalists.
The others are Cleveland right-hander Corey Kluber and Chicago lefty Chris Sale. The winner will be announced Nov. 12 on MLB Network.
“To be a finalist for the Cy Young Award is great,” said Hernandez.
Other BBWAA award finalists:
• A.L. Most Valuable Player: Cleveland outfielder Michael Brantley, Detroit designated hitter Victor Martinez and Los Angeles outfielder Mike Trout.
• National League MVP: Los Angeles pitcher Clayton Kershaw, Pittsburgh outfielder Andrew McCutchen and Miami outfielder Giancarlo Stanton
• N.L. Cy Young: Cincinnati right-hander Johnny Cueto, Los Angeles left-hander Clayton Kershaw and St. Louis right-hander Adam Wainwright.
• A.L. Rookie of the Year: Chicago first baseman Jose Abreu, New York pitcher Dellin Betances and Los Angels pitcher Matt Shoemaker.
• N.L. Rookie of the Year: New York pitcher Jacob deGrom, Cincinnati outfielder Billy Hamilton and St. Louis second baseman Kolten Wong.
• A.L. Manager of the Year: Los Angeles’ Mike Scioscia, Baltimore’s Buck Showalter and Kansas City’s Ned Yost.
• N.L. Manager of the Year: San Francisco’s Bruce Bochy, Pittsburgh’s Clint Hurdle and Washington’s Matt Williams.