Mariners Moose Tracks, 9/26/23: Joey Votto, Juan Soto, and Mike Trout

In Mariners news...

• Before the Mariners played yesterday’s game, LL’s own btownfritz graciously took the time and effort to outline the many possible scenarios the Mariners might, or might not, make the playoffs.
• Julio Rodríguez, Teoscar Hernández y más peloteros de República Dominicana, con un mensaje importante para la próxima generación.
• The 2023 Seattle Mariners pitching staff has now officially struck out more batters than any other season in team history.

• Luis Castillo’s strikeout of Jose Altuve yesterday helped the team reach a new club season record, but his season is one of personal success as well.

• Although lately Seattle’s offense has done anything but inspire, their season numbers still have them in conversations with the best in the league.

Around the league...

• The standing ovation Joey Votto received in what may have been his last home game for the Reds not only left him feeling nostalgic, it inspired him. He used that inspiration to write this brilliant piece, and I wholeheartedly recommend it as a must-read.
• The San Diego Padres are reportedly intending to cut significant payroll next year, potentiallyincluding the possibility of moving Juan Soto.
• It makes sense why Mike Trout is avoiding in speaking absolutes here, but he is so far indicating a planned stay with the Angels in the 2024 season, a discussion recently made relevant after reporting indicated the team would be willing to move him in a trade in the offseason if he requested.

• The Angels locker room continues to be more of a ghost town every day somehow.

• There are some reasons aside from the New York Yankees abysmal season for the low attendance they had yesterday; poor weather and it being an early weekday game (and one originally scheduled as an off day) are two such reasons. That doesn’t change the fact that for a franchise that prides itself on its winning history and passionate fanbase, moments like this reflect a rarely seen low for the team.

What truly highlighted the empty seats even more was the number given in the announced attendance, although that does come with its own asterisk, that those numbers originally came from when the game was originally scheduled to occur last Saturday, which was also a promotional night.

Bee’s pick...

• Seattle Kraken hockey is officially back in action, and the wonderful folks over at Davy Jones’ Locker Room are as well for all of your team coverage needs. Make sure to stop by and give their articles a read, enjoy spending time in their game thread comment section, and as always, post Zoidberg when the Kraken win.