MLB Player News

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen was named the 2013 National League MVP Thursday, getting 28 of a possible 30 first-place votes.

McCutchen enjoyed a large 409-242 advantage over second-place finisher Yadier Molina in the voting. McCutchen hit .317 with 21 home runs, 84 RBI, 97 runs and 27 stolen bases in 2013.

According to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman, the Marlins and Cubs are considering talks regarding a trade of some of their top prospects.

The pitching-heavy Marlins may be willing to part with some of their young hurlers, including major leaguers Jacob Turner, Henderson Alvarez and Nate Eovadi as well as prospects Andrew Heaney , Justin Nicolino , Adam Conley and Jose Urena and late-season callup Brian Flynn. In return, they would likely target one or more of the Cubs' top hitting prospects, including Kris Bryant , Javier Baez , Albert Almora and Jorge Soler .

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper indicated on his Twitter account that he had stitches removed from his surgically repaired knee on Thursday. Harper also wrote that he rode a bike on Wednesday.

Less than two weeks ago, Harper had surgery and was told he would not be able to resume workouts for at least four weeks.

Cardinals second baseman Matt Carpenter, Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond and Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez have joined Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt as Silver Slugger award winners among National League infielders.

Carpenter's first Silver Slugger award comes after leading the majors in runs (126), hits (199) and doubles (55) while hitting .318/.392/.481 with 11 home runs and 78 RBI in 626 at-bats. Desmond's second straight Silver Slugger award comes after hitting .280/.331/.453 with 20 home runs, 80 RBI and 21 stolen bases in 600 at-bats. Alvarez's first career Silver Slugger award comes after hitting .233/.296/.473 with 36 home runs and 100 RBI in 558 at-bats.

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen won his second straight Silver Slugger award Wednesday. An MVP finalist, McCutchen hit .317/.404/.508 with 21 home runs, 84 RBI and 27 stolen bases in 583 at-bats.

While Marlins general manager Dan Jennings told SiriusXM Radio on Sunday that the team won't deal outfielder Giancarlo Stanton this offseason, it appears they are prepared to make a longer-term commitment to their star slugger. MLB.com reports the Marlins' front office is looking into offering Stanton a multi-year contract.

Stanton has three years of arbitration eligibility remaining, but the Marlins are likely to try to lock him up with a lucrative contract offer. Previous reports have indicated that Stanton does not want to commit to a long-term deal to stay in Miami.

Marlins general manager Dan Jennings told SiriusXM radio Sunday that the team will not trade outfielder Giancarlo Stanton this offseason. Jennings added that "(Stanton) will be in right field at Marlins Park on Opening Day. We are building around him."

Despite playing in only 116 games, Stanton led the Marlins in home runs (24), RBI (62) and runs scored (62) this season.

A deal between the Pirates and Marlins involving outfielder Giancarlo Stanton for Jose Tabata and bullpen depth is "very possible," MLB.com reports.

MLB.com reports that Stanton's name "keeps popping up" as the Pirates look to address a potential hole in right field. Even though Tabata has a team-friendly deal that includes three club options, it seems like the Marlins would be able to generate more value than the proposed deal from such a coveted player.

Cardinals second baseman Matt Carpenter went 3 for 5 with a double Wednesday, but it wasn't enough to avoid a series-ending loss as the Red Sox took Game 6 of the World Series 6-1.

Carpenter flew out to left field to begin Game 6, falling just short of the Green Monster. Coming up with one out in the third inning, he punched a single over the outstretched glove of the shortstop. He added another single to right field in the fifth inning and lined a double down the left field line in the seventh. Up with two outs in the ninth inning, Carpenter struck out swinging to end the series. He went 8 for 27 during the six-game series, but Wednesday's double was his only extra-base hit against the Red Sox.

Cardinals second baseman Matt Carpenter was the only St. Louis hitter with multiple hits Sunday, going 2 for 5 with a run and an RBI in his team's 4-2 loss to the Red Sox in Game 4 of the World Series.

Carpenter grounded out to the second baseman in his first at-bat, then singled through the infield in the third inning and advanced to second base on a fielding error. He came around to score the game's first run on a single by Carlos Beltran.

Carpenter struck out looking to begin the bottom of the fifth before coming up with two outs and a man on second base in the seventh inning, when he drove in a run with a single to right to cut his team's deficit to 4-2. He had another chance to deliver a big hit with a man on and one out in the ninth but couldn't come through. His run would be the last run the Cardinals would score in the game, sending the series to Game 5 Monday tied 2-2.