Mariners Moose Tracks, 3/7/21: Jarred Kelenic’s adductor, Félix sitting mid-80s, and 20 years of Sue Bird

The sun doesn’t set today until 6:03 p.m.

In Mariners News...

• A new Ryan Divish story allowed Kyle Seager to address the “overpaid” comments, how hard it was to watch Félix at the end, and the obscene amount of turnover he’s experienced during his career. Seager was very forthright about playing through a rebuild and the extremely likely possibility that he’ll never see the postseason with Seattle.

“I love Corey to death, but to act like there’s not some real jealousy there is ridiculous,” he said. “He’s been in the big leagues for 5 to 6 years and he’s been to the postseason six times.”

• In case you missed it, Jarred Kelenic strained an adductor muscle in his knee. This sounds a lot worse than it is. According to Corey Brock’s story in The Athletic, which includes video of the play where Kelenic got hurt, the wunderkind’s goal is to return in a week.
• Meanwhile, Taylor Trammell continues to swing the bat well in his first Spring Training with the M’s.

• While yesterday’s game was not televised and therefore will disappear into the desert, the Mariners’ PR team recapped it here. Justin Dunn and Nick Margevicius, two pitchers likely competing for the final rotation spot, each went two innings and Luis Torrens made his first appearance of the spring.
• Two of the rugrats will get to hang out at big-league camp.

• This is a huge breakthrough for the franchise.

• We love to see Shed Long Jr. getting hooked up with free Storm merch in exchange for a social media shoutout.

Around the League...

• It sounds like Félix, and both of the teams involved here, are headed for big seasons.

• Once again the Astros have landed a veteran pitcher.

This makes a ton of sense for Houston, who will begin the season without injured starters Justin Verlander and Framber Valdez. Odorizzi joins a rotation with Zack Greinke, giving the AL West favorites two veteran righties that have been around the block a few times. Ten (!!!) years ago, the Royals traded Greinke and our dear Yuniesky Betancourt to Milwaukee for Odorizzi, Lorenzo Cain, Alcides Escobar, and Jeremy Jeffress.

• Here’s a name to keep an eye on in next year’s draft. I know you’re all tired of college pitchers, buuutttt

• While we’re on the subject, college baseball is very silly and I think that’s fantastic.

Matthew’s Picks...

• Saturday was the 20th anniversary of Sue Bird’s buzzer beater to win the Big East championship.

• I quite enjoyed this Rob Mahoney story about NBA players’ curated approach to room service menus. It’s refreshing to learn that even some professional athletes view salad as arrogantly healthy and know better than to eat sushi in Oklahoma City.
• Japanese Breakfast put out the first single from their new album. If you’re in need of a sunny pop song with a crime-fighting video, I got you.