Mariners Moose Tracks, 1/10/18: Big Maple, Matt Garza, and Justin Morneau

Hey folks! Happy Wednesday. Let’s get you those links that you’ve been asking for.

In Mariners news...

• Nelson Cruz appears to be gearing up for his inevitable contract discussions (either with the Mariners or someone else) at the end of the season.

• Some more fun from the Mariners caravan...

• Get yourself a James Paxton bobblehead on July 1st!

• Michael Clair at MLB.com breaks down Dee Gordon’s upcoming move to center field.
• Daniel Vogelbach is hoping to become a major piece for the Mariners in 2018.
• The ZiPS projections for the Mariners are out and they’re...rather modest. But damn, that bullpen.

Around the league...

• Kiley McDaniel breaks down where the debate over “Stats vs. Scouting” currently stands in baseball.
• Dave Cameron theorizes that the number of “super teams” in baseball is leading to an uninteresting offseason.
• Brewers starter Matt Garza pitched through a major shoulder injury last season, and he’s planning to undergo surgery that may end his career.
• Sam Miller wonders what a baseball game would look like if it went 50 innings.
• Justin Morneau has retired and joined the Twins front office as a special assistant.
• Royals Review doesn’t think it’s smart for Kansas City to pursue Eric Hosmer anymore.
• Angels GM Billy Eppler met with Shohei Ohtani’s previous team — the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters — to discuss how the Angels should utilize the young talent.

Anders’ picks...

• A kayaker in Japan was banned because he spiked a competitor’s beverage.