The first of the four major awards were announced Monday night. Cubs 3B Kris Bryant was named NL Rookie of the Year while Astros SS Carlos Correa took home AL Rookie of the Year honors. Bryant won unanimously. Both Bryant and Correa had many signature moments in 2015.
Also on Monday, Hall of Famers Willie Mays and the late Yogi Berra were both awarded the President Medal of Freedom. It is the nation's highest civilian honor. Now here is a recap of Monday's hot stove news from around the league.
ROSTER MOVES & TRANSACTIONS
Mariners: Acquired OF Leonys Martin and RHP Anthony Bass from the Rangers for RHP Tom Wilhelmsen, OF James Jones and a player to be named later, both teams announced.
Nationals: Signed OF Reed Johnson and LHP Sean Burnett to minor league contracts with invitations to spring training, the team announced.
FRONT OFFICE & COACHING STAFF UPDATES
Yankees: Hired former D-Backs pitching coach Mike Harkey to be their bullpen coach, the team announced. Harkey was the bullpen coach in New York from 2008-13 before leaving for Arizona.
NEWS & RUMORS
MLB: Super scout George Genovese passed away at age 93. He signed Bobby Bonds, Jack Clark, Chili Davis, George Foster and Matt Williams, among others.
MLB: Korean outfielder Ah-Seop Son has been posted for MLB teams. Clubs have until Friday to submit their blind bids for his negotiating rights.
LHP Rich Hill: Hill, a free agent, is expected to pick a team this week. (WEEI.com)
1B/OF Aubrey Huff: Huff, who has not played since 2012, is planning a comeback. He says he has battled depression the last three years. (Stack Velocity Sports Performance)
IF/OF Ben Zobrist: The Mets are one of many teams to reach out to Zobrist this offseason. The Yankees do not appear to be in the running. (New York Post)
Indians: Briefly considered using 2B Jason Kipnis in the outfield and IF Jose Ramirez at second base next season. That won't happen though. (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
Dodgers: LHP Brett Anderson said he rejected multiyear offers before accepting the one-year qualifying offer to return to the Dodgers in 2016. (Los Angeles Times)
Giants: Close to signing 1B Kyle Blanks to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. (San Francisco Chronicle)
Mariners: Hired sports psychologist Andy McKay to run their farm system.
Rays: RHP Brad Boxberger and LHP Jake McGee are generating trade interest. The Dodgers, Nationals and Diamondbacks are among the teams in the mix. (ESPN)
Reds: 3B Todd Frazier is "legitimately out there" on the trade market. The team wants big league ready players for Frazier and LHP Aroldis Chapman. (ESPN)
