Read on Twitter
In this thread, we'll re-live the 50 most memorable stories of the 2015-16 Hot Stove Season, in the order they unfolded ...
Yankees Acquire Aaron Hicks (11/11/15) https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/11/yankees-acquire-aaron-hicks-from-twins-for-john-ryan-murphy.html "It’s somewhat surprising to hear that Minnesota has parted with Hicks, who finally seemed to turn the corner last year after previously having failed to gain traction in the majors."
Angels Acquire Andrelton Simmons (11/12/15) https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/11/angels-to-acquire-andrelton-simmons.html "...arguably the single best defensive player in the game. Though he hasn’t been consistent offensively, he has a tremendous floor b/c of his glove, which is as pleasing to the eye as it is to defensive metrics."
Red Sox Acquire Craig Kimbrel (11/13/15) https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/11/red-sox-to-acquire-craig-kimbrel.html "Though he is no longer quite as mind-bogglingly dominant as he was back in 2012, he’s still an ace reliever of the highest caliber."
3 Players Accept Qualifying Offers (11/13/15)
Colby Rasmus/Astros https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/11/colby-rasmus-to-accept-astros-qualifying-offer.html
Matt Wieters/Orioles https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/11/matt-wieters-accepts-qualifying-offer.html
Brett Anderson/Dodgers https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/11/brett-anderson-accepts-qualifying-offer-from-dodgers.html
Colby Rasmus/Astros https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/11/colby-rasmus-to-accept-astros-qualifying-offer.html
Matt Wieters/Orioles https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/11/matt-wieters-accepts-qualifying-offer.html
Brett Anderson/Dodgers https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/11/brett-anderson-accepts-qualifying-offer-from-dodgers.html
Athletics Sign Rich Hill (11/17/15) https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/11/athletics-sign-rich-hill.html "Few would’ve believed prior to — or even 75 percent of the way through — the 2015 season that a payday like this was in the cards for Hill."
Blue Jays Sign J.A. Happ (11/27/15) https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/11/blue-jays-sign-j-a-happ.html "While the Blue Jays obviously won’t be expecting Happ to maintain a sub-2.00 ERA rate, it’s fair to wonder whether to what extent that mid-season turnaround will stick."
Tigers Sign Jordan Zimmermann (12/1/15) https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/12/tigers-to-sign-jordan-zimmermann.html "There’s a lot to like, but 2015 undoubtedly represented a step back for the righty, and not just in the earned run department. Zimmermann’s 3.66 ERA was by far the highest full-season mark of his career ..."
Twins Sign Byung-Ho Park (12/1/15) https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/12/twins-to-sign-byung-ho-park.html "Park increasingly reached the MLB radar after two straight seasons in which he put up massive numbers in the hitter-friendly KBO. When Kang successfully transitioned to the bigs, the stage was set for Park to follow."
Padres Acquire Drew Pomeranz (12/2/15) https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/12/athletics-padres-trade-rumor-drew-pomeranz-yonder-alonso.html "Pomeranz has emerged as a solid swingman option since coming to Oakland before the 2014 season. ... he came up as a starter and could certainly be given a chance to operate from the rotation for San Diego."
Orioles Acquire Mark Trumbo (12/2/15) https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/12/mark-trumbo-steve-clevenger-trade-mariners-orioles.html "While his defensive limitations and his low on-base numbers suppress Trumbo’s value, he’s still a legitimate source of right-handed power that can handle first base."
Red Sox Sign David Price (12/4/15) https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/12/red-sox-sign-david-price.html "Such transactions are the types we’ve come to expect from Dombrowski dating back to his Tigers days, but they represent a dramatic philosophical shift for the Red Sox ... ."
Mariners Acquire Wade Miley, Red Sox Get Carson Smith (12/7/15) https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/12/redsox-trade-wade-miley-mariners.html "Miley has been a healthy & consistent innings eater ... Smith ranked 6th among qualified relievers in GB rate & struck out a greater number of batters than nearly any pitcher on the top 30."
Rays, Cubs Discussing Trade Involving Javier Baez (12/7/15) https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/12/rays-cubs-discussing-trade-involving-javier-baez.html "The Cubs and Rays are in discussions about a deal that would send Javier Baez to Tampa in exchange for pitching"
Stunning Turn Of Events Surrounding Aroldis Chapman (12/7 - 12/10/15)
Dodgers-Reds Trade Falls Through https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/12/reds-trade-aroldis-chapman-dodgers.html
Allegations Of Domestic Altercation https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/12/aroldis-chapman-allegedly-involved-in-domestic-dispute.html
Dodgers Move On https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/12/dodgers-moving-on-from-aroldis-chapman.html
Dodgers-Reds Trade Falls Through https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/12/reds-trade-aroldis-chapman-dodgers.html
Allegations Of Domestic Altercation https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/12/aroldis-chapman-allegedly-involved-in-domestic-dispute.html
Dodgers Move On https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/12/dodgers-moving-on-from-aroldis-chapman.html
Diamondbacks Sign Zack Greinke (12/8/15) https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/12/diamondbacks-to-sign-zack-greinke.html "In a shocker, the Diamondbacks have agreed to terms with free agent starter Zack Greinke ... an amazing $206.5MM over six years"
Yankees Acquire Starlin Castro (12/8/15) https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/12/cubs-trade-starlin-castro-yankees.html "Castro, 26 in March, is a three-time All-Star that struggled mightily for much of the 2015 campaign but had a strong finish to the season and an even better showing in the playoffs."
Cubs Sign Ben Zobrist (12/8/15) https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/12/cubs-sign-ben-zobrist.html "The deal will reunite the utilityman with former Rays manager Joe Maddon, who now runs the dugout in Chicago."
Rumors Surrounding Jose Fernandez (RIP)
Winter Meetings Chatter (12/8-12/9/15) https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/12/jose-fernandez-rumors-12-8-2015.html
Marlins' Reported Asking Price https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/12/jose-fernandez-trade-marlins-asking-price.html "asked the Dodgers to include not one or two but all three of Julio Urias, Joc Pederson & Corey Seager ..."
Winter Meetings Chatter (12/8-12/9/15) https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/12/jose-fernandez-rumors-12-8-2015.html
Marlins' Reported Asking Price https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/12/jose-fernandez-trade-marlins-asking-price.html "asked the Dodgers to include not one or two but all three of Julio Urias, Joc Pederson & Corey Seager ..."
Cubs Sign John Lackey (12/9/15) https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/12/cubs-to-sign-john-lackey.html "The Cubs had previously been connected to starting pitchers like Jeff Samardzija (via free agency) and Shelby Miller (via the trade market). They also met with David Price before Price agreed to terms with the Red Sox."
Mets Sign Asdrubal Cabrera (12/9/15) https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/12/mets-sign-asdrubal-cabrera.html "Considering the fact that the Mets picked up Neil Walker in a trade earlier today, it would seem that Cabrera will take over as the team’s everyday shortstop."
Diamondbacks Acquire Shelby Miller (12/9/15) https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/12/diamondbacks-trade-shelby-miller-braves.html "The presence of Greinke, Corbin and Miller atop their rotation gives Arizona arguably the best rotation in the National League West, but the price they’ve paid is sizable."
Astros Acquire Ken Giles (12/9/15) https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/12/phillies-trade-ken-giles-astros.html "Giles, 25, took over as closer in Philadelphia following the trade of Jonathan Papelbon and continued to display the dominance he’s exhibited since breaking into the Majors upon being moved to a more prominent role."
Giants Sign Jeff Samardzija (12/9/15) https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/12/giants-to-sign-jeff-samardzija.html "In signing Samardzija, the Giants add a workhorse who has averaged 216 innings in each of the last three seasons." But "he’s coming off easily the worst of his four full seasons as a starting pitcher."
