Baseball: Rollins named N.L. MVP

Back in January, when Jimmy Rollins was making bold predictions, he left one out. Not only were his Phillies the team to beat in the N.L. East, he was headed for an MVP season.

Rollins won the National League MVP award Tuesday, edging Matt Holliday in a close race after propelling Philadelphia to its first playoff berth in 14 years with his speed and steady all-around play.

The Gold Glove shortstop – who was left off the All-Star team in July – received 16 of 32 first-place votes and finished with 353 points in balloting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.

Holliday, the left fielder who led Colorado’s surprising charge to the World Series, got 11 first-place votes and 336 points. Milwaukee slugger Prince Fielder came in third, with five first-place votes and 284 points.

It was the closest election for N.L. MVP since Atlanta third baseman Terry Pendleton beat out Pittsburgh’s Barry Bonds by 15 points in 1991.

Rollins batted .296 with 30 homers, 94 RBIs and 41 steals from the leadoff spot. He led the league in runs (139) and triples (20).

Holliday hit .340 with 137 RBIs – the third player since 1967 to lead a league in both categories.

Clearing the bases

The Indians signed Japanese free agent RP Masahide Kobayashi to a $6.25 million, two-year contract. … World Series MVP Mike Lowell and Boston finalized their $37.5 million, three-year contract. … The Phillies acquired OF Chris Snelling from Tampa Bay for cash. … The Mets acquired C Johnny Estrada from Milwaukee for RP Guillermo Mota. … Former Pittsburgh OF Gary Varsho was hired as the Pirates manager John Russell’s bench coach. … OF Scott Podsednik was cut by the White Sox. He has been slowed by injuries since leading Chicago’s 2005 World Series championship team . … Geoff Blum agreed to a $1.1 million, one-year contract with the Astros. … Respects were paid to the late Joe Nuxhall, the Reds’ longtime radio broadcaster who died last week at age 79.