The awards keep piling up for the Rays. And the best may be yet to come.
Executive vice president Andrew Friedman was honored as the Sporting News choice for executive of the year, announced Monday night at the GM meetings in Dana Point, Calif.
Friedman received the award for his role in orchestrating the Rays' turnaround from worst to the World Series.
"It really highlights what the organization, from top to bottom, has accomplished in a relatively short period of time," Friedman said. "Personally, I have great pride in what we have accomplished, and even greater pride at the impact the team and its magical season had throughout the Tampa Bay region."
Friedman and the Rays built through strong drafts, including first-round picks Evan Longoria and David Price, but also benefited from a bold offseason trade that brought shortstop Jason Bartlett and right-handed pitcher Matt Garza from the Twins for outfielder Delmon Young.
Friedman also made some under-the-radar pickups who came through, such as outfielder Gabe Gross and infielder Willy Aybar.
Manager Joe Maddon was named the Sporting News manager of the year for the American League last month, an award chosen by a panel of fellow managers.
The Baseball Prospectus Internet Baseball Awards were announced Tuesday, with Maddon tabbed as AL manager of the year and Longoria named AL rookie of the year. (The Internet Baseball Awards at baseballprospectus.com allows fans to vote on the postseason awards.)
Next week, Maddon and his 23-year-old third baseman are strong candidates to claim the BBWAA AL manager of the year and rookie of the year.
FLOYD FILES: DH Cliff Floyd filed for free agency one day after the Rays declined to exercise his $2.75-million option for 2009.
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