Pujols wins MVP; Ethier, Kemp in top 10

Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals is the unanimous winner of the National League Most Valuable Player award. Pujols won NL MVP honors for the second consecutive season and third time in his career.

He is the sixth NL player to win the award on a unanimous vote, the first since Barry Bonds in 2002.

Hanley Ramirez of the Florida Marlins finished second, followed by Ryan Howard of the Philadelphia Phillies and Prince Fielder of the Milwaukee Brewers.

Andre Ethier of the Dodgers finished sixth, and he got two second-place votes. Matt Kemp of the Dodgers finished 10th, and he got two fourth-place votes.

The complete voting is here.

--  Bill Shaikin

Photo: Albert Pujols hits a single during Game 3 of the National League division series on Oct. 10. Credit: Jeff Roberson / Associated Press

Dodgers: Halladay acquisition looking unlikely

General Manager Ned Colletti made clear today that the any speculation about a deal that would send Chad Billingsley to Toronto for Roy Halladay is nothing more than speculation. Colletti refused to talk specifically about Halladay but said, "We would like to improve our pitching, especially starting pitching. I don't believe we can subtract from it in order to improve it."

In other words, the Dodgers won't trade a pitcher to acquire a pitcher.

One source familiar with the Dodgers' talks with Toronto called the possibility of the Dodgers' landing Halladay "a long-shot."

Also:

• Colletti is interested in re-signing backup catcher Brad Ausmus and has been exchanging voice-mails with the veteran.
• The Dodgers haven't had any discussions with Cincinnati about Brandon Phillips or with Florida about Dan Uggla.

-- Dylan Hernandez

Photo credit: Jeff Lewis / Associated Press

Monday's poll: Should the Dodgers trade Chad Billingsley for Roy Halladay?

One of the big rumors of the off-season has the Dodgers acquiring ace Roy Halladay from the Toronto Blue Jays for Chad Billingsley and two other players (whose names change depending on which rumor you listen to).

Our own Jon Weisman makes an excellent case here as to why trading Billingsley in any sort of deal for Halladay could be a bad idea.

But what do you think? Good trade or bad? Vote in today's poll, then leave a comment letting us know why you voted the way you did.

-- Houston Mitchell

Selig vows to tighten postseason schedule

Commissioner Bud Selig pledged today to tighten baseball's lengthy postseason schedule, but he declined to say how he would do so.

"I'm going to make the postseason schedule this year," he said as baseball's owners concluded a day of meetings in Chicago. "If you're mad, you can blame me."

Angels Manager Mike Scioscia was mad during the playoffs, calling the postseason schedule "ridiculous." The Philadelphia Phillies played nine games in 23 days between the end of the regular season and the start of the World Series. The New York Yankees took advantage of the schedule, using just three starting pitchers en route to the World Series championship.

Selig acknowledged that clubs want to end the season on a weekend and Fox wants to start the World Series during the week, leaving it unclear exactly how he would condense the postseason schedule. He did not indicate any desire to expand the first round from a best-of-five series to a best-of-seven series.

He said the solution did not involve asking Fox to return the World Series start to Saturday, when ratings generally are lower than on weeknights.

"We should put the games on when the most people can watch them," he said. "It's a very simple premise."

Scioscia made his comments during the American League championship series, and Selig said he had "a lengthy conversation" with Scioscia after the Angels were eliminated.

"I don't disagree with Mike Scioscia," Selig said. "I think he was right."

Selig also said he remains opposed to the expansion of instant replay but said he has invited general managers to the next owners' meeting in January. The general managers could propose an expansion of replay at that time.

-- Bill Shaikin in Chicago

Photo: Bud Selig. Credit: Matt York, AP.

Agent: Dodgers asked about Mark DeRosa and John Smoltz

The Dodgers have inquired about Mark DeRosa and John Smoltz, according to their agent, Keith Grunewald.

A 34-year-old utilityman, DeRosa played first, second and third base, as well as the two corner outfield positions, for the Cleveland Indians and St. Louis Cardinals last season. He hit .250 with 23 home runs and 78 runs batted in.

Of the Dodgers' interest in DeRosa, Grunewald said, "The interest is mutual." But the agent said that the Dodgers are one of a dozen teams that have asked about DeRosa, identifying the others as the Cardinals, Mariners, Nationals, Giants, Phillies, Orioles, Rangers, Yankees, Mets, Twins and Braves.

Finances could be an obstacle. Grunewald said his client, whose three-year, $13-million contract expired at the end of the season, is looking for another multiyear deal.

"We feel, obviously, a multiyear deal is going to happen," he said.

The Dodgers were among the teams that pursued Smoltz, 42, when he was released by the Boston Red Sox in August, only to lose out to the Cardinals. Smoltz, who posted an 8.32 earned-run average with the Red Sox, had a 4.26 ERA in seven starts with the Cardinals.

-- Dylan Hernandez

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Angels' Hunter, Dodgers' Ethier and Kemp win Silver Sluggers

Days after picking up Gold Gloves as the best fielding center fielders in their respective leagues, the Angels' Torii Hunter and the Dodgers' Matt Kemp won Silver Sluggers on Thursday as the best hitters at their position.

The Silver Sluggers, presented by Louisville Slugger, are voted on by the managers and coaches in each league. The awards for Kemp and Hunter were their first, as was the Silver Slugger won by Dodgers' right fielder Andre Ethier. Those three were among eight first-time winners honored Thursday.

Other first-time winners include Tampa Bay third baseman Evan Longoria. Two other former Southern California high school standouts repeated at their positions: Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers in left field and Philadelphia Chase Utley at second base.

The full teams for both leagues:

National League

1B -- Albert Pujols (St. Louis)

2B -- Chase Utley (Philadelphia)

SS - Hanley Ramirez (Florida)

3B -- Ryan Zimmerman (Washington)

LF -- Ryan Braun (Milwaukee)

CF -- Matt Kemp (Dodgers)

RF -- Andre Ethier (Dodgers)

C -- Brian McCann (Atlanta)

P -- Carlos Zambrano (Chicago)

American League

1B -- Mark Teixeira (New York)

2B -- Aaron Hill (Toronto)

SS -- Derek Jeter (New York)

3B -- Evan Longoria (Tampa Bay)

LF -- Jason Bay (Boston)

CF -- Torii Hunter (Angels)

RF -- Ichiro Suzuki (Seattle)

C -- Joe Mauer (Minnesota)

DH -- Adam Lind (Toronto)

-- Kevin Baxter

Dodgers: Kemp, Hudson already working out

Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp won his first Gold Glove today but was already looking ahead to his next.

“People’s expectations -- I’m supposed to win a Gold Glove every year,” Kemp said. “I have to be better next year.”

So, like second baseman Orlando Hudson, the other Dodger who was awarded a Gold Glove, Kemp has already started working out to prepare himself for next season.

“No time to rest, man,” said Kemp, who was third in the majors with 14 assists in his first season as the Dodgers’ primary center fielder.

For Hudson, the Gold Glove was his fourth. Hudson admitted that he was unsure he would return from a season-ending wrist injury he suffered last year, saying, “I thought I was done.”

Hudson, who lost his starting position to Ronnie Belliard in the final weeks of the regular season, is a free agent and said he hasn’t had any contact with the Dodgers since they were eliminated from the playoffs. But Hudson wouldn’t rule out re-signing with the Dodgers, saying, “I would be interested in coming back. I wouldn’t close the door.”

Jason Schmidt, who is expected to retire this winter, filed for free agency. In the final year of his three-year, $47-million contract, Schmidt returned from a major shoulder operation and was 2-2 with a 5.60 earned-run average in four starts.

-- Dylan Hernandez

Dodgers: Kemp, Hudson win Gold Gloves

Matt Kemp won his first Gold Glove today, as he and teammate Orlando Hudson took home the end-of-the-year prizes for defensive excellence.

Kemp, 25, became the Dodgers' primary center fielder this season, replacing the departed Andruw Jones. His 14 assists were the third most in baseball.

For Hudson, the Gold Glove is his fourth. Returning from a career-threatening wrist injury he suffered last year, Hudson had a fielding percentage of .988, the fifth best in Dodgers history for a second baseman.

Hudson, who lost his starting position to Ronnie Belliard late in the season, is a free agent and not expected to return to the Dodgers next year.

The NL Gold Glovers:

C: Yadier Molina, Cardinals

1B: Adrian Gonzalez, Padres

2B: Orlando Hudson, Dodgers

3B: Ryan Zimmerman, Nationals

SS: Jimmy Rollins, Phillies

OF: Michael Bourn, Astros

OF: Matt Kemp, Dodgers

OF: Shane Victorino, Phillies

P: Adam Wainwright, Cardinals

-- Dylan Hernandez

Vin Scully on McCourts and other things

 

During the question-and-answer portion of the Newsmaker Luncheon, hosted by the Hollywood Radio & Television Society at the Beverly Wilshire hotel, Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully addressed the situation between Dodgers owner Frank McCourt and his wife, Jamie McCourt.  "On the present incident taking place, as someone who holds in gravest sanctity the issue of marriage, it breaks my heart," Scully said. "That's all I have to say on that." Before the lunch, Scully noted that today was his wedding anniversary, the 36th, Scully said.

Scully was also asked who was the greatest player he ever saw. Scully said he was emphasizing "saw" because he had done the National League. "It would be Willie Mays," Scully said. "He would have been an All-Star at almost every position on the field.

"One player who always amazed me was Joe DiMaggio. One year he had 30 strikeouts. We've got guys who strike out 30 times during the national anthem."

-- Diane Pucin

Photo: Broadcasting legend Vin Scully takes time to do an interview during the Hollywood Radio and Television Society's Newsmaker Luncheon on Tuesday. Credit: Nick Ut / Associated Press

Ron Shelton hosts, Vin Scully talks; lunch doesn't matter

Movie director Ron Shelton is hosting the Hollywood Radio & TV Society Luncheon Series at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, and Vin Scully is telling stories and answering questions.

Shelton called Scully the true "center" of Los Angeles after first taking the microphone to say, "I'm just happy to be here and hope I can help the ball club."

Scully is telling jokes and has already used phrases such as "towel across the loins," and lines like, "One of the lessons to be learned is that I know I'll be wrong but please God don't let me be loud wrong."

And he's telling stories about his mistakes. Or, as Vin says, "Words are jewels, but they can also be bullets. I was doing a game against the Reds, who had an outfielder by the name of Lloyd Merriman. He hit a foul ball. My mind told my mouth to say, 'A hot shot hit foul ...' Well ..."