MLB

A few months ago, Bryce Harper entered 2015 looking to silence the many doubters who thought he was, at worst, a huge disappointment or, at best, overrated.

If nothing the Washington Nationals star right fielder did throughout his phenomenal 2015 campaign could, him winning the National League Most Valuable Player should do the trick.

Jeff Samardzija spent his first six-plus years in the major leagues pitching for the Chicago Cubs, and a comeback could be on the horizon.

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Coming into Thursday's announcement for the American League and National League Most Valuable Player Awards, the drama was not over who would win, but how large the gap between the Toronto Blue Jays' Josh Donaldson and Washington Nationals' Bryce Harper would end up being.

Donaldson and Harper were bestowed MVP honors for their brilliant 2015 campaigns, with the voting not particularly close in either league.    

The Baseball Writers' Association of America pared down the list of American League MVP candidates to Lorenzo Cain, Josh Donaldson and Mike Trout, and Donaldson secured the coveted hardware Thursday night to close out a compelling race. 

The 2015 National League MVP field was comprised of three players from teams that missed the playoffs, but their performances in the face of disappointing campaigns were impossible to ignore. 

The Houston Astros announced on Thursday they have traded infielder Jonathan Villar to the Milwaukee Brewers for minor league pitcher Cy Sneed. 

John Lackey filled in fluidly for the St. Louis Cardinals when ace Adam Wainwright suffered an Achilles injury in early April.

Lackey is now a free agent after declining a $15.8 qualifying offer, and already teams are in pursuit of the 13-year veteran.

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As part of Major League Baseball's 2016 schedule, the Pittsburgh Pirates and Miami Marlins will play a brief two-game series in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on May 30-31 to celebrate Roberto Clemente Day. 

The official announcement was made by MLB's public relations staff on Twitter:

In an effort to increase safety for fans at MLB ballparks, Commissioner Rob Manfred said Thursday his office will recommend expanded netting for the 2016 season.  

Every winter there are steals to be had in the free-agent market, and this year is no exception. Whether it’s veteran arms or position players in line for a solid bounce-back year, smart executives do well to explore all options.

Some underrated players, such as pitchers Rich Hill and James Russell, have already been signed. Others, with exceptions, can be plucked from the international market at a bargain price.