Mariners Moose Tracks 12/9/16: Rule 5 Draft, Fowler Signs, and Cat Videos

Good morning everyone! The Winter Meetings have come to a close, with the Rule 5 Draft concluding all of the action down in Washington, D.C. In case you missed some of the picks, here’s a summary of what went down in yesterday’s draft.

The Rule 5 Draft has always fascinated me. While it’s very rare that a star player moves hands in the transaction, it serves a key purpose. The draft ensures that teams can’t stockpile boatloads of young talent in the minor leagues for prolonged periods of time, when they might be able to get a real opportunity somewhere else (thanks to Zach Sanders for bestowing that knowledge upon my ignorant mind yesterday).

The M’s haven’t had a whole lot of success taking guys in the Rule 5 in recent years. Their most recent Major League selections have been David Rollins, Lucas Luetge, Jose Flores, Kanekoa Texeira, and Reegie Corona. If you remember more than two of those names, props to you.

The point is, the draft isn’t all that consequential. While it’s perfectly reasonable to be concerned that the M’s lost a very talented relief prospect in Kevin Gadea, chances are slim he’ll truly burn the team. There’s even a pretty good shot he gets returned to the Mariners organization if he doesn’t get off to a hot start in Tampa. We’ll have to wait and see.

Now, onto the rest of the day’s news.

In Mariners news...

• Although the Mariners made a move to acquire Chris Heston, the team isn’t quite satisfied yet. Greg Johns reported that the organization is still searching for more established pitchers to round out the rotation.
• Felix seems to be getting some pretty intense workouts in lately.

• Nelson Cruz can be seen getting reps in with the same trainer.

Around the league...

• Here’s what DRaysBay thought about the team’s pickup of Kevin Gadea. Also hidden in the comments is some animosity from Rays fans about the team giving up Richie Shaffer, who was just DFA’d by the M’s.
• The biggest news to come from yesterday was the Cardinals’ signing of Dexter Fowler to a multi-year contract.
• The Rangers and Braves also made a minor pitching swap.
• You probably heard about the Yankees signing Aroldis Chapman to a new five-year deal. Tanya Bondurant at Pinstripe Alley pledged to do something really cool in order to cope with her favorite team signing Chapman.
• After just missing out on Chapman, the Marlins have put a large offer on the table for closer Kenley Jansen.
• In former-Mariners news (kinda), the Astros agreed to a minor league deal with C.J. Riefenhauser.
• The Cubs continue to stockpile good relievers as they’ve agreed to a one-year deal with Koji Uehara.
• The White Sox were unofficially declared the “winner” of this year’s Winter Meetings. However, that’s probably not an honor you want to hold.

Anders’ picks...

• And it’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for. Here’s your Cat Video of the Day.

• There’s a follow-up video, too.

Have good weekend everyone! Just 66 days to go* until pitchers and catchers report.

*66 days ago today, Edwin Encarnacion hit a walk-off three-run homer in the AL Wild Card game to push the Blue Jays into the ALDS.