Durham groundskeeper lands national award

Durham groundskeeper Scott Strickland won the sports turf manager of the year award today for Triple-A. Strickland has been in charge of Durham Bulls Athletic Park's field for the last six seasons.

So, who doesn't carry offseason weight?

Crawford wins Silver Slugger

Outfielder Carl Crawford will have some extra packing to do when he leaves the Tampa Bay Rays and signs a big-bucks free-agent deal elsewhere. Crawford won his first career Silver Slugger award today.

Former Biscuit Evan Longoria won last year for the Rays, but Boston's Adrian Beltre unseated him this season at the American League third base spot.

Longoria adds another Gold Glove

Tampa Bay third baseman and former Biscuits MVP Evan Longoria also won a second straight American League Gold Glove today.

Hellickson picked for Topps Triple-A team

Durham pitcher Jeremy Hellickson was named to the Topps Triple-A all-star team today. Topps picks the top stars at each level, with the blessing of Minor League Baseball. Hellickson was 12-3 with a 2.45 ERA this season for the Bulls.

(On a side note, Baseball America has released its top prospects for the Rays. I will not look at the list until I do my own. That's so BA's opinion doesn't overly influence mine and, when I compare mine to theirs, I'll know how misguided I am.)

Leslie Anderson an Arizona All-Star

First baseman/left fielder Leslie Anderson has been picked to play in the Arizona Fall League's All-Star Game, which is Saturday at 8 p.m. on MLB Network. Anderson has a .308 average in 16 games for the Peoria Saguaros.

In the other Biscuits/Saguaros department, Jose Ruiz is hitting .305, Alex Cobb is 0-1 with a 4.85 ERA in four starts, Sergio Espinosa has a 2.35 ERA in seven appearances and Jeremy Hall made just one start, throwing 1 1/3 innings Oct. 13. Future Biscuit Neil Schenk has a 2.70 ERA in six games.

Elliot Johnson back on Rays' 40-man

Infielder Elliot Johnson was re-added to Tampa Bay's 40-man roster today. He was Triple-A Durham's most valuable player this year after being dropped from the Rays' 40-man in the spring.

Tampa Bay also declined their options on infielder Willy Aybar and reliever Dan Wheeler.

There are 41 players currently listed on Tampa Bay's 40-man roster at mlb.com -- those on the 60-man DL don't count against the limit. The current roster (as of 5:35 p.m.) doesn't include today's moves.

Any headline ideas?

After San Francisco wrapped up the World Series with a 3-1 win over Texas tonight, let's hear yours ...

San Francisco feat
Say Hey Kids
Bearded wonders
They might be Giants
Golden gate greats
Giant earthquake