No real surprises here. Well, maybe that Maddon wasn't unanimous, but still ...

Oh, and that Matt Holliday trade finally happened, for real this time.

Thoughts, comments, punditry, witticisms? ...

Sabathia? Santana? Lidge? Webb? Nah ... Tim Lincecum nabbed the 2008 NL Cy Young Award, the first Giant to do so since Mike McCormick in 1967.

So ... the "real" voters agreed with Baseball Prospectus. Good decision? And a bonus challenge question ...

Yesterday, we reviewed Baseball Prospectus' AL 2008 Internet Baseball Awards, and Roy Halladay was mentioned prominently, if not invited into the winner's circle. Today we learn the NL winners ...

• Albert Pujols edged Man-Ram (correction ... Han-Ram!) and Lance Berkman for MVP;
• Tim "He was almost a Blue Jay?" Lincecum is your Cy Young winner, bettering Johan Santana and far ahead of third-place CC Sabathia;
• Geovany Soto was rookie of the year. Duh.
• Lou Piniella, manager of the year? Over Charlie Manuel? Really?

A few questions and comments ...

Baseball Prospectus' AL 2008 Internet Baseball Awards have been announced, and Toronto's Roy Halladay placed a strong second in the balloting, trailing only Cleveland SP Cliff Lee, in what could be a preview of the BBWAA Cy Young results.

Though Halladay finished a fair pace behind Lee -- he was more than 25 percent back -- it's worth noting that the good Doctor's final ballot tally was greater than the totals of the third place through eighth place finishers (Lester, F-Rod, Daisuke, Rivera, E. Santana, Mussina) combined.

A.J. Burnett finished 12th in the Cy Young voting. No Blue Jay position player made the top 15 in MVP (which went to Dustin Pedroia), though Halladay was 10th (Lee finished 5th); nor did any Jay crack the top 10 for Rookie of the Year (which went to Evan Longoria).

In a move that was widely expected, the Jays have picked up the option on catcher Rod Barajas for next season. 

The Toronto Blue Jays have signed former Orioles hurler Adam Loewen to a minor league deal.  The Surrey, B.C. native is trying to follow in the footsteps of Rick Ankiel by becoming a position player.  The Jays also claimed right-handed pitcher Bryan Bullington off waivers from Cleveland.  To make room on the roster, outfielder Kevin Mench has been designated for assignment.

Ranger shortstop edges Jeter, Pujols for 12th annual honor

Hot of the e-mail "presses" of The Newberg Report ...

The Major League Baseball Players Association has announced that Michael Young is the winner of the 2008 Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award,presented to "the player in either league whose on-field performance and contributions to his community inspire others to higher levels of achievement."  Among the off-field ventures ...