JUST IN: Just 20 minutes ago, the first baseman of the Los Angeles Dodgers officially signed an impressive deal, shortly before the manager announced his departure to the San Diego Padres. According to ESPN, a contract worth $87.9 million over three years has been finalized, confirming that the Dodgers’ first baseman will be joining the Padres. However…

Just 20 minutes ago, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ first baseman officially signed a remarkable deal, shortly before the manager announced his move to the San Diego Padres. ESPN reports that the contract, valued at $87.9 million over three years, has been finalized, confirming that the Dodgers’ first baseman will be heading to the Padres. However…

In the NL MVP race, San Diego Padres rookie outfielder Jackson Merrill finished ahead of Paul Skenes. Merrill earned more points than Skenes in the voting. While Merrill lost the National League Rookie of the Year award to Pittsburgh Pirates ace Skenes, he secured more votes for MVP, finishing ninth with a total of 57 points.

Merrill received a mix of votes, including two fifth-place votes, three sixth-place votes, one seventh-place vote, four eighth-place votes, five ninth-place votes, and four 10th-place votes. On the other hand, Skenes, despite winning the Rookie of the Year award, did not crack the top 16 in the NL MVP voting but received one eighth-place vote and placed third in the NL Cy Young race.

Skenes won the Rookie of the Year award with an outstanding season, finishing 11-3 with a 1.96 ERA and 170 strikeouts, a remarkable feat for a Pirates team that missed the playoffs.

Meanwhile, Merrill, who had a strong year with a .292/.326/.500 slash line, 162 hits, 77 runs, 24 home runs, and 90 RBIs, finished second in the Rookie of the Year race. He also won the NL Rookie of the Month award in both June and August and earned a spot in the MLB All-Star Game.