NL Central

Joe Maddon entered a den full of untested Cubbies. Now, after his first season at the helm, they're all grown up.

No, Chicago didn't bust its legendary World Series drought. But the Cubs engineered a significant turnaround, snapping a string of five consecutive losing seasons with a 97-win campaign and a return to the postseason.

After winning Manager of the Year two times with the Tampa Bay Rays, Joe Maddon brought his magic to the Chicago Cubs and was named 2015 National League Manager of the Year. 

MLB Network provided the news:

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.

Add Cincinnati Reds third baseman Todd Frazier to the ever-growing list of All-Stars reportedly available on this winter's trade market.

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Frazier Available for 'Big Return'

Monday, Nov. 16

ESPN's Jayson Stark spoke with an executive from another team who said Frazier is "legitimately out there" for a trade.

The Rookie of the Year is about performance, not potential.

When the Chicago Cubs hired Joe Maddon last winter, Theo Epstein called it a "unique opportunity" the team just couldn't pass up.

The Cincinnati Reds unsuccessfully shopped Jay Bruce at the 2015 MLB trade deadline, but the team appears more motivated to move the right fielder with the offseason officially underway. 

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Starting pitching was the least of the St. Louis Cardinals' problems in 2015. Even despite losing Adam Wainwright for the bulk of the year, the Cardinals rotation still racked up an MLB-best 2.99 ERA.

If St. Louis is going to keep that vibe going into 2016, however, it has some work to do.

The 2015 MLB season just ended a little over a week ago, and already the St. Louis Cardinals are having to deal with an injury ahead of next year.

The team announced Tuesday that Lance Lynn had Tommy John surgery and will be absent for the entirety of the 2016 campaign.

Cincinnati Reds closer Aroldis Chapman is reportedly on the trade block as the organization looks to acquire some young talent after finishing last in the National League Central in 2015.

Continue for updates.