Outfielder Aaron Judge adds another MVP Award to Yankees' collection  —  Yankees' outfielder Aaron Judge picked up 28 of 30 votes on his way to winning the American League MVP Award.  —  This marks the 21st time that a Yankees player has been honored, the most MVP Awards overall for one club in BBWAA voting dating to 1931.

Mets believe Jacob deGrom prefers to stay if contracts are similar  —  A tie — or close to it — goes to the Mets.  —  That, at least, is the organizational belief as Mets brass consider Jacob deGrom and whether the ace right-hander will return next season.

J.D. Martinez and other big hitters pulling for the return of opposite-field success  —  Want to find a power hitter this offseason?  Good luck.  —  Several longtime power hitters found in 2022 that blasts that customarily landed several rows into the stands instead expired well shy of the wall.

Aaron Judge record HR ball heading to auction after $3M offer declined  —  Aaron Judge's record-setting 62nd home run ball is headed to auction later this month, with the attorney for the Texas man who caught it telling ESPN he already turned down a $3 million offer for the prize snagged Oct. 4 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.

From MVP to cut free: Dodgers release Cody Bellinger, just three years after he won NL MVP  —  Cody Bellinger is just 27 years old and ostensibly entering his athletic prime.  Yet suddenly, he's no longer a Los Angeles Dodger, just three years after he was the National League's Most Valuable Player.

Los Angeles Angels acquire 3B Gio Urshela from Twins  —  The Los Angeles Angels acquired veteran infielder Gio Urshela from the Minnesota Twins on Friday, a move that helps the team's desire to add more major league-quality depth to its roster.  The Twins received 19-year-old starting pitcher Alejandro Hidalgo in exchange.

Aaron Judge megadeal?  Star shortstop splurge?  Going young in 2023?  Inside the Yankees' offseason alternatives  —  Here in this little sliver of the world we are not a hostage to format.  This might be 3Up, but I think there are four big-picture ways this offseason can play out for the Yankees:

Justin Verlander wins third AL Cy Young by unanimous vote  —  Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander won his third American League Cy Young Award on Thursday, joining a distinguished club with fewer than a dozen members throughout baseball history.  He did so unanimously.

Premium starters seek premium MLB free agency prices  —  Prices are up for premium starters.  Jacob deGrom is said by one GM to be seeking $40 million-plus.  “He'll get it, he's the best,” that GM said.  —  Carlos Rodon is said to be seeking $35M-plus following his year in San Fran.

MLB investigating whether Mets, Yankees communicated improperly about Aaron Judge: Sources  —  Major League Baseball is investigating whether comments attributed to Mets sources about the team's reluctance to pursue free-agent outfielder Aaron Judge constitute a violation of baseball's collective bargaining agreement.

New York Yankees' Aaron Judge wins AL MVP after record-setting season  —  Perhaps it was a closing act.  More likely, it was mere prelude.  Either way, Aaron Judge received the ultimate reward for one of the greatest seasons in New York Yankees history.  —  Playing under the weight …