Randolph will return next season

New York Mets Manager Willie Randolph will be back with the club next season, hanging on to his job after New York’s monumental collapse.

General Manager Omar Minaya made the announcement Tuesday, ending speculation that Randolph might be fired despite signing a contract extension before this season. New York was 5-12 down the stretch, squandering a big lead in the NL East and missing the playoffs.

The Atlanta Braves are cutting ties with Andruw Jones, saying they can’t afford to keep the perennial Gold Glove center fielder. General Manager John Schuerholz announced the decision shortly after breaking the news to Jones during a one-on-one meeting at Turner Field.

The 30-year-old Jones batted only .222 in the final season of his $75-million contract.

Jim Leyland will be managing the Detroit Tigers for two more years, as the Tigers extended his contract by one year, keeping him in the dugout through the 2009 season.

Dmitri Young of the Washington Nationals was named the National League comeback player of the year. Carlos Pena of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays was the American League winner.