Mariners Moose Tracks, 8/16/20: DJ LeMahieu, Josh Gibson, and a whole lotta injuries

We’ve crested August’s midsection, with links aplenty to buoy us into the second half.

In Mariners News...

• While we don’t always have in depth content on the weekends, Mikey Ajeto has whipped up a couple deep dives. Yesterday, on Erik Swanson getting the most from his velo, but still getting crushed, and today on old Kyle Seager learning some new tricks.
• Some Tacoma enthusiasm from Andy McKay.

• Several former and current competitors took umbrage with Jon Heyman highlighting Evan White’s struggles and questioning if his extension was premature.

Around The League...

• MLB is celebrating the 100 year anniversary of the Negro National League. The Undefeated re-upped their lengthy piece on Hall of Famer Rube Foster, who put the league in motion.
• This is an injuries-heavy links session, sadly. The Braves placed OF Ronald Acuña Jr. on the IL with left wrist inflammation.
• DJ LeMahieu hit the injured list with a thumb sprain, joining Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton in the Yankees infirmary. The Bombers called up Miguel Andujar to fill the spot.
• The Astros placed Michael Brantley on the IL, calling up Jack Mayfield for some outfield depth.
• The White Sox lost OF Leury Garcia for the year, as a severed ligament in his thumb will have him out through October.
• Cardinals OF prospect Dylan Carlson debuted yesterday as St. Louis got back in action finally. He’s an impressive player, but he has a rather relatable weakness.

• Catching prospect depth is a luxury the Dodgers are grateful for, as they place C Will Smith on the IL and call up C Keibert Ruiz, both viewed among the league’s top backstop prospects.
• Joel Sherman of the New York Post spoke with 10 front office execs, who expect a quiet trade deadline in light of uncertainty with the season, as well as limited risk of missing the playoffs for any top clubs, even those who’ve started slowly.
• Rob Arthur of Baseball Prospectus ($) wrote about the relatively smooth transition for MLB from Trackman to Hawkeye for their data tracking.
• Sean Gibson, the great-grandson of Josh Gibson, makes a pitch for swapping Kenesaw Mountain Landis’ name for Josh Gibson’s on MLB’s MVP award.
• Phillies outfielder Roman Quinn has hit the injured list, putting the Phillies in a thin spot with their outfield depth.
• The Mets have designated Brian Dozier for assignment.

John’s pick...

• Baseball is weird, and short season baseball all the weirder.