Mariners Moose Tracks, 10/13/24: Jackson Merrill, Lane Thomas, and Ha-Seong Kim

It’s Sunday, and if it’s Sunday, it’s Meet the Links.

In Mariners news...

• Saying “we weren’t allowed to strikeout” seems to everyone’s big takeaway here, but I have to say that it’s pretty rich to hear Ken Griffey Jr., he of 630 career homeruns, refer to homeruns as “accidents.”

Around the league...

• The Padres had discussions with rookie Jackson Merrill before the start of this season about a contract extension that didn’t end up going anywhere. After a 5.3 fWAR rookie season, it’s safe to assume that Merrill has raised his price tag a bit heading into this offseason.
• Lane Thomas’ grand slam in Game 5 of the ALDS yesterday led to a great moment between two Guardians super fans.
• Dodgers starting pitcher Gavin Stone had surgery on his pitching shoulder on Wednesday and will be out for the entirety of the 2025 season.
• Presumptive free agent infielder Ha-Seong Kim had surgery on his labrum on Thursday and is expecting to miss the first few weeks of the 2025 season.
• The 2023 Atlanta Braves are probably really upset about this tweet, it’s a bummer no one cares about their opinions.