Mariners Moose Tracks, 7/22/21: Eddy Alvarez, Yermín Mercedes, and the Seattle Kraken

The Kraken have arrived.

Good morning everybody! Let’s get you some links as the M’s prepare for a crucial series with the A’s.

In Mariners news...

• The M’s top three selections will be in town next week.

• Fangraphs has made changes to The BOARD To reflect the completion of the draft. Also, Noelvi Marte moves up to #11 overall while Cal Raleigh joins the top 100 for the first time.

Around the league...

• Yermín Mercedes shocked the baseball world by announcing his retirement. The breakout White Sox hitter had been crushing it in Triple-A Charlotte after struggling to hit in the majors following Tony La Russa’s negative comments about him.

• Michael Clair wrote about the historical importance of the Cape Cod League.
• Eddy Alvarez will have a special role to play in tomorrow’s Opening Ceremonies.

• Devan Fink at Fangraphs notes that offense has gone up in Major League Baseball since the league started to crack down on foreign substances.
• Baseball America reports that the Arizona Fall League will make its triumphant return this year.
• The Pirates went way over their third round slot to keep Bubba Chandler away from college football.

• Tess Taruskin at Fangraphs provides a primer for the baseball portion of the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Anders’ picks...

• The Seattle Kraken had their all-important Expansion Draft last night. Here’s who they picked up.

• Check out scouting reports on all of the players selected as provided by The Athletic. ($)
• Pierre LeBrun at The Athletic lays out some potential next steps for the Kraken. ($)