Rangers' Hamilton wins American League MVP award

Texas outfielder Josh Hamilton was a runaway winner of the American League's Most Valuable Player award. He received 22 first-place votes and 358 points in voting announced by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

Hamilton overcame eight trips to rehabilitation for drug and alcohol addiction during his career to lead the major leagues in batting average (.359) and slugging percentage (.633) and help the Rangers reach their first World Series.

"I would say a 99 percent chance that this would never happen," Hamilton said. "I mean, honestly, I think a lot of people would agree with that."

Detroit's Miguel Cabrera was second with five first-place votes. The Yankees' Robinson Cano was next with 229 points.

* The New York Yankees have declined to offer salary arbitration to captain Derek Jeter. The Yankees also failed to offer arbitration to closer Mariano Rivera, lefthander Andy Pettitte, reliever Kerry Wood and first baseman Lance Berkman. New York did offer arbitration to righthander Javier Vazquez, who is unlikely to re-sign with the Yankees following a disappointing season. His agents have been negotiating with the Florida Marlins.

* Victor Martinez and the Detroit Tigers reached a preliminary agreement on a $50 million, 4-year contract, a person familiar with the agreement told the Associated Press.

* The Texas Rangers offered salary arbitration to Cliff Lee, meaning the American League champions will be compensated with draft choices if the free-agent lefthander signs with another team. In other news, Chicago White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko and righthanded pitcher J.J. Putz, and Washington Nationals first baseman Adam Dunn were offered arbitration.

* Infielder Aubrey Huff is staying with the San Francisco Giants, agreeing to a $22 million, 2-year contract with the World Series champions.