MLB

After a relatively slow start, baseball's offseason has kicked into overdrive.

Four notable names—Erick Aybar (Los Angeles to Atlanta), Jeremy Hellickson (Arizona to Philadelphia), Craig Kimbrel (San Diego to Boston) and Andrelton Simmons (Atlanta to Los Angeles)—have been traded over the past week, and if the rumor mill is any indication, that's only the beginning.

The shame of the 2015 National League Cy Young race is that only one pitcher can win it. Really, the award wouldn't be misplaced on any of the three finalists' mantelpieces. 

If there is an odds-on favorite for the award, though, it's probably Jake Arrieta.

1. Gobble, Gobble

Over the river and through the woods, to grandmother's house we go!

The horse knows the way, to carry the sleigh

And, ahem…how much, exactly, do I weigh?

This much we know: The 2015 American League Cy Young Award will go to a southpaw.

No offense intended to Sonny Gray, the lone right-hander in the trio of finalists, but we're watching a two-man fight between free agent David Price and the Houston Astros' Dallas Keuchel.

Attempting to replace top MLB free agents like Zack Greinke and David Price is not an enviable task. For teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays, doing just that is on the docket this winter.

The Houston Astros stunned Major League Baseball when they drafted shortstop Carlos Correa with the first overall pick in 2012. 

Surprising blockbuster trades have become a big part of the Major League Baseball offseason over the last couple years. For clubs with payroll restrictions or weak win-loss records, pursuing trades is the best viable option over spending money on free agents.

Kris Bryant and Carlos Correa hit the ground running upon being promoted to the majors in 2015, and they both parlayed their success into a Rookie of the Year Award.

Many expected Bryant to take home the honor for the National League, and the voting results bear that out. The voters unanimously selected Bryant first in their ballots:

Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa was named the 2015 American League Rookie of Year on Monday as voted by the Baseball Writers Association of America.

Kris Bryant won the National League award in a landslide.

Kris Bryant of the Chicago Cubs was announced as the 2015 National League Rookie of the Year on Monday as chosen by the Baseball Writers' Association of America:  

ESPN Stats & Info noted Bryant is the sixth Cubs player to win the award.