Lookout Linkage, 7/31/14

Happy trade deadline day (official deadline is 1:00pm PT today)! Will the Mariners do something, or will they not? While you wait for news to break, make sure to check this stuff out (all links are current as of 7/30/14 at 11:00pm):

• It would appear the Mariners are no longer in on Marlon Byrd.
• It's looking like the Twins are not planning to deal Josh Willingham.
• In the midst of all the trade news, Eric Chavez has retired.
• The Cardinals acquired pitcher Justin Masterson from the Indians.
• Jon Lester was scratched from his start on Wednesday, indicating a trade might be on the horizon. Here's the latest on the lefty starter.
• The A's too (of course), are in on Lester.
• Crawfish Boxes looks at some Astros' pitchers that could be on the block.
• Vin Scully has announced that he will continue to broadcast games for the Dodgers in 2015.
• The Cubs recently played the longest game in the club's history and it ended in bizarre fashion.
• Grant Brisbee lists some teams he thinks should be all in at the deadline.
• Dave Cameron of Fangraphs argues that the trade deadline should be pushed back.
• Jeff Zimmerman at The Hardball Times explores the idea that it's better to sign short-term deals with players you've already had before.
• David Kagan at The Hardball Times looks at shadow/sun factors and how they play at different parks.
• Clayton Kershaw was on Jimmy Kimmel Live where his pitching command was tested. He failed the test.