Yankees News: Robinson Cano, Derek Jeter win Silver Slugger Awards

The New York Yankees had two players win Silver Slugger Awards yesterday evening. One, Robinson Cano would not have been a surprising preseason pick, while the other for Derek Jeter would not have been exactly a trendy selection.

The Silver Slugger Award is presented to the best offensive player at each position for both leagues. Cano won his third straight and is certain to pile up some more along the way. Jeter earned his fifth award and first since 2009.

New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano watches one of his career-high 33 home runs. Cano earned his third straight Silver Slugger Award Thursday. (Image: William Perlman/THE STAR-LEDGER via US PRESSWIRE)

Cano has established himself as one of the premier hitters in the Majors, let alone at his position. He established a career high in home runs this season with 33 and his late outburst at the end of the regular season boosted his slash line to .313/.379/.550. His slugging percentage and OPS were also career highs and led all Major League second basemen. Cano was also tops in games played (161), batting average, doubles (48), RBI (94) and tied for the most runs with 105.

Jeter built on his Hall of Fame legacy this season rapping out a MLB-leading 216 hits. His .316 batting average was fifth in the league. Jeter recorded a .791 OPS, collected 32 doubles and blasted 15 home runs. Jeter is currently rehabbing a fractured left ankle suffered in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series. He played on the injured ankle for the last several weeks of the regular season. For winning the award, Jeter added $1.5 million to his player option for the 2014 season which is now worth $9.5 million.

GIBBY nominees revealed

The Greatness in Baseball Yearly Awards (GIBBYs) nominees were revealed yesterday as Major League Baseball continues the awards season. Awards are voted on by media, front-office personnel, MLB Alumni, fans via voting on MLB.com and the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR).

There are 21 categories and the Yankees have 10 players/plays/personnel nominated for honors. The group is led by Raul Ibanez (three nominations) all stemming from heroics in the regular season and postseason. The first is for his 12th-inning single on Oct. 2 against the Red Sox which is nominated for best walk-off performance. Ibanez had homered in the ninth to tie the score. He was also nominated for best postseason moment for hitting the game-tying and game-winning homers in Game 3 of the American League Division Series. Lastly, he is up for Postseason MVP.

Other players receiving recognition for awards were Cano for best Hitter, David Robertson for top Setup Man and Mark Teixeira for best Defensive Player. Teixeira and Russell Martin team up for best Play with their handling of Baltimore’s Lew Ford‘s swinging bunt in Game 1 of the ALDS. Curtis Granderson‘s 5-for-5 three-homer performance April 20 has him entered for Hitting Performance. Joe Girardi and Brian Cashman are nominated for Manager of the Year and Executive of the Year respectively.

The awards are now ready for voting by going here. You’ll be able to see video of each player and their performances. The polls close on Dec. 2 and the awards show will be held on Dec. 4 during baseball’s Winter Meetings in Nashville, Tenn.