NEW YORK: Tampa Bay Rays infielder Evan Longoria and Chicago Cubs catcher Geovany Soto have been named Major League Baseball's rookies of the year on Monday.

Longoria, a unanimous American League selection, and Soto, the first Cub in franchise history to be given the honor, both won easily.

Longoria also became the first player in the Rays' 11-year history to win the award.