Good morning everyone and Happy Bobby Bonilla Day! Here’s everything you need to know as you get your Wednesday started.
In Mariners news...
- Former Mariners prospect Phillippe Aumont, who was sent to the Phillies in the Cliff Lee trade, has retired from baseball so he can begin his life of farming.
Around the league...
- In case you missed it, Minor League Baseball officially had its 2020 season canceled yesterday, which helps explain all of the young minor leaguers making their way onto the MLB taxi squads.
- The Rockies agreed to a deal with outfielder Matt Kemp, who is really just at home in the NL West.
- Many MLB players want the removal of Kennesaw Mountain Landis from the MVP award plaque.
- This seems...potentially endangering.
This is weird. Brian Cashman says it's his understanding that if a player goes on the COVID-19 injured list, teams will not announce that. It will be left for media and fans to just figure it out.
— Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) June 30, 2020
- The A’s are planning an interesting initiative, in which fans can purchase the right to have a cardboard cutout of themselves put in the stands during games.
- The family of Andrew Toles expressed their worry for the young baseball player and their hope that he can simply live as normal a life as possible.
- Mark Zuckerman at MASN argues that players should be allowed to sit out the season without having to explain themselves.
- It’s been a while since we saw an actual transaction!
Here’s how you know baseball is back: We’ve got a trade — and a player to be named later!
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 30, 2020
The San Diego Padres are acquiring middle infielder Jorge Mateo from the Oakland A’s for a PTBNL, sources tell me and @kileymcd.
- Mark McGwire takes health and safety protocols a step further, arguing that players should have to wear masks while they’re on the field.
Anders’ picks...
- Two members of the United States Senate proposed a bill that would block NCAA from forcing its athletes to sign liability waivers for coronavirus in advance of the fall season.