Lookout Linkage, 9/28/14

Still alive! While you anxiously await for the game threads, catch up on the latest from around baseball:

• The M's announced their minor league award winners. They also announced their major league award winners.
• The Mariners have been historically bad at fielding designated hitters, writes Jeff Sullivan of U.S.S. Mariner.
• Jeff Sullivan also talks about the first base situation for the Mariners, and whether or not Logan Morrison could be the solution.
• Mariners' scouting director Tom McNamara talked to Fangraphs about Alex Jackson and other prospects that were taken out of high school.
• Grant Brisbee wrote about why he thinks the M's collapsed down the stretch (keep in mind that this was written before the Angels series).
• Jeff Sullivan at Fangraphs wonders if Kendrys Morales will ever see big money again after having such a terrible year.
• Toronto Blue Jays' manager Jay Gibbons spoke to Shannon Drayer about Taijuan Walker's performance.
• The Rangers' payroll is unlikely to increase next year.
• Brandon Moss of the A's is out and will require hip surgery in the offseason.
• Royals Review wonders whether the Wild Card game is a "playoff game" or not.
• Royals Review recaps a wild 2014 season for the team.
• The Indians have set an MLB record for most strikeouts in a season.
• Jonathan Lurcoy also set an MLB record.
• Royals' outfielder Josh Willingham is planning to retire at the end of the season.
• Bobby Abreu is also retiring.
• Paul Konerko is also to retire (and the White Sox will retire his uniform number).
• Phil Hughes turned down an offer to earn $500K. Find out why.
• Kiley McDaniel scouts Cuba's star outfielder Yasmany Tomas.
• Dave Stewart has been hired as the new GM of the Diamondbacks.
• The D-backs have already begun to clean house as well.
• The Brewers are considering giving Ryan Braun a new positional home in 2015.
• Juan Uribe's son has a ton of talent, and I don't mean on the baseball field.