Mariners Moose Tracks, 6/20/18: Edwin Díaz, Trade Rumors, and Hunter Strickland

Good morning folks! As the series continues with the Yankees, as do the links. Come and get ‘em.

In Mariners news...

• We’ve already reported on these signings here at Lookout Landing, but now they’re official.

• An update on Hisashi Iwakuma:

• Edwin appeared on MLB Network to talk about his and the M’s season.

• Another Edwin Díaz interview for your viewing pleasure.

Around the league...

• Well this would certainly be unexpected.

• Here are some more trade rumors.

• Rahul Setty at Fangraphs took a deep look into the Shohei Ohtani situation.
• Mike Trout is frustrated that the Angels can’t keep afloat in the standings despite the fact that he’s having a season for the ages.
• Oh man, how about those Giants?

• Jeez, you guys.

• Bradford Doolittle at ESPN composes a team of big leaguers made up completely of former College World Series participants.
• Longtime journeyman catcher Brayan Pena has announced his retirement.
• Nationals teenage outfielder Juan Soto is amazing and we should all appreciate him more, writes Grant Brisbee.
• Mets reliever A.J. Ramos will undergo shoulder surgery, ending his season.

Anders’ picks...

• In case you missed it, USA soccer star Landon Donovan got into trouble with several of his teammates for participating in a commercial where he said he was rooting for México.

Kate’s pick:

Thank you everyone for the awesome work you have been doing supporting Denard Span’s foundation. We all are truly moved by the response—up to $6250 already, over halfway to the summer goal!—and I am so proud of the good work done by our community. I have pledged to donate $10 for every Mariners win through the rest of the month of June to the foundation, and I hope you will join me in that effort.

We also have another project that we’re hoping to get some support for—one that’s a little closer to home. Mariners prospect Jordan Cowan’s girlfriend Amanda Kopp is a survivor of juvenile dermatomyositis, a type of muscular dystrophy that affects children. She was lucky enough to receive excellent care at Seattle Children’s Hospital, and on the ten-year anniversary of her cure, she’s spearheading a drive for funds to purchase art supplies for the kids at the hospital. Amanda and Jordan are both local products—and Amanda is a WSU grad, Go Cougs—so it would be really cool if we could help her reach, or even exceed, her fundraising goal as a birthday present. Her goal is to raise ten dollars more than the $1,090 she donated in thanks as a teenager. I think we can beat that, don’t you? Direct link to the campaign here.