masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe finalists for the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) awards in both leagues will be revealed tonight beginning at 6 p.m. on MLB Network.

At least we can be assured that the show won’t be preempted by live coverage of a luge competition or dirt bike race.

The BBWAA votes were submitted before the playoffs. I received a ballot in the mail for the American League Rookie of the Year. It must remain private, however, until the winners are announced next week.

Let’s just say I…The finalists for the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) awards in both leagues will be revealed tonight beginning at 6 p.m. on MLB Network.

At least we can be assured that the show won’t be preempted by live coverage of a luge competition or dirt bike race.

The BBWAA votes were submitted before the playoffs. I received a ballot in the mail for the American League Rookie of the Year. It must remain private, however, until the winners are announced next week.

Let’s just say I didn’t spend a lot of time stressing over my top pick. It should be unanimous.

Buck Showalter is assured of being one of the three finalists for AL Manager of the Year. He already won The Sporting News award.

You can assume that Oakland’s Bob Melvin and Chicago’s Robin Ventura also will be recognized. The winner will be announced at 6 p.m. on Nov. 13.

The AL and NL Rookies of the Year will be announced on Monday. The AL and NL Cy Young Awards will be announced next Wednesday, followed by the AL and NL MVP Awards on Nov. 15.

No one else from the Orioles is expected to be named a finalist. Adam Jones has an outside chance at cracking the top five for AL MVP. The other awards are narrowed down to three finalists.

Wei-Yin Chen is likely to be excluded as an AL Rookie of the Year finalist. Angels outfielder Mike Trout, Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes and Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish are probably ahead of him. No doubt about Trout.

Notes: FOX Sports is reporting that Rangers left fielder Josh Hamilton is on the Orioles’ “wish list.”

Before I’m bombarded with requests for comment, I’ll just say that I’m sure the Orioles will monitor the market and hope that he becomes an affordable option for them. I don’t envision them outbidding everyone in baseball.

Executive vice president Dan Duquette doesn’t seem inclined to blow up the budget. He made that point quite clear after the Orioles lost Game 5 of the American League Division Series. Isn’t Hamilton seeking a seven-year deal?

The Orioles will be attached to Hamilton just as they were to Prince Fielder last winter. As Showalter says, we’ll see.

Also, Newsday is reporting that the Mets signed reliever Greg Burke to a minor league contract with a spring training invite. Burke pitched at Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk this year.

And finally, CBSsports.com is reporting that the Red Sox are expected to name Juan Nieves as their new pitching coach. Reports out of Boston last week tabbed Orioles director of pitching development Rick Peterson as the favorite.