Lookout Linkage, 7/20/14

We've got some lunchtime baseball today. We've also got some stories here while you're getting ready to watch the series finale:

• Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times has the story on James Paxton's latest efforts to make it back to the Mariner rotation.
• Jeff Sullivan of U.S.S. Mariner gave out some first-half grades, first for the team's hitters and then for the pitchers.
• Jeff also (this time for Fangraphs) discusses the King's magnificent changeup.
• Ken Rosenthal (video) talks about the Mariners and their talks with the Rays about David Price.
• While we're at it, Jon Paul Morosi (another video) also discusses the M's and trade rumors surrounding them.
• KC Kingdom wonders how the M's could possibly be interested in acquiring Billy Butler.
• Emerald City Swagger thinks acquiring Matt Kemp would be a bad idea.
• Padres' closer Huston Street has been acquired by the Angels (and he pitched against the M's last night!)
• Rumor has it the Tigers are calling about Rangers' closer Joakim Soria.
• Jon Heyman talks about which players the Rangers are looking to trade and which ones they'd rather hang on to.
• The Astros have failed to sign 2014 No. 1 overall pick Brady Aiken. Here's the SB Nation story stream filled with all you need to know about the situation.
• CC Sabathia will have knee surgery and is done for the season.
• Colby Lewis of the Rangers and Colby Ramus of the Blue Jays got into a little bit of a scuffle yesterday.
• MLB chose not to mention the passing of the great Tony Gwynn during the All-Star game festivities, and Steven Goldman writes about how awful of a decision it was.
• Paul Swydan of Fangraphs wonders who will receive the next retirement tour.
• Jeff Sullivan at Fangraphs analyzes the worst called strikes so far this year.
• Alex Remington of The Hardball Times discusses what challenges baseball's next commissioner will face.
• Max Weinstein wonders who deserves credit for caught base-stealers.
• Should the A's sign Dan Uggla?
• What are some better ways to decide home field advantage in the World Series than an exhibition game? Tyler Drenon has some ideas.