Richest rookie earns top award

Evan Longoria is the first Tampa Bay Rays player to win Rookie of the Year (or any baseball writers' award, for that matter). He's also the richest Rookie of the Year winner ever.

Just six days after being called up to the big leagues in April, Longoria signed a six-year, $17.5-million contract that includes three option years that could add another $30 million to the deal. While most rookies earn the big-league minimum - even the best of them - the No. 3 overall draft pick in 2006 is locked in as a Ray halfway into the next decade with a big-money deal. That's how "can't miss" Longoria was to small-market Tampa Bay's front office - they absolutely were convinced Longoria could succeed in the big leagues and locked him up for a long time.

"It's a great honor for Evan, and also a tribute to our scouts, player development personnel and major-league staff who played a role in helping him along the way," Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman said Monday to the St. Petersburg Times.

"It's so special," Longoria said, according to the Times. "It's tough to put into words. I didn't start the year in the big leagues; I struggled all the way through high school ball and college ball. There are so many emotions that come to mind when I think about (the award)."

A prediction for 2009: The Rays are a favorite to make it two in a row with ace lefty David Price.

The National League pick was a slam dunk as well: Cubs catcher Geovany Soto.

"I feel honored. It's kind of surreal. It hasn't sunk in yet. They called me and said, 'You're the National League Rookie of the Year.' Wow. It's a dream come true, especially to be in the same category as with some big names. I feel very humble and very honored," Soto told MLB.com.

Click here for the voting, and more from the awards season.