Cade Marlowe is forcing the issue again.
The former Mariners outfielder plans to use the upward mobility clause in his minor-league deal with the Los Angeles Angels, according to Ari Alexander of 7News Boston. That gives the other 29 teams a chance to put him on their 40-man roster.
If someone bites, the Angels would have to add him too or work out a trade. If every team passes, he stays in the Los Angeles organization.
It’s a smart move for a 29-year-old who has already shown he can handle Triple-A pitching and knows exactly what leverage he has.
Marlowe’s path through the Mariners system was a long one. Seattle took him in the 20th round of the 2019 MLB Draft out of Division II West Georgia, and he kept climbing until he reached the majors. One of his most memorable moments came in August 2023, when he launched a go-ahead grand slam off Carlos Estévez in the ninth inning at Angel Stadium.
He played 42 games for Seattle across the 2023 and 2024 seasons, hitting .240/.330/.406 with three home runs. The bat never quite earned him a lasting hold on the roster, and he logged only 109 plate appearances in that span.
Seattle designated him for assignment in February 2025 to clear room for Jorge Polanco. He cleared waivers, stayed in the organization and missed much of the season while recovering from back surgery. Once he returned, he hit .320 with an .882 OPS in 52 minor-league games.
After the season, Marlowe elected free agency and signed a minor-league contract with the Athletics. He then put together a strong run at Triple-A, slashing .317/.394/.521 before opting out in July. Four days later, he landed with the Angels.
Now he’s back in the same spot, producing in Triple-A and waiting for a real shot. This season, he’s hitting .314 with nine home runs and 25 stolen bases across Triple-A. He brings speed, defensive versatility and enough offensive pop to matter, but he still hasn’t found a team willing to give him a true opening.
That’s the bind for players like Marlowe. Organizations value seasoned Triple-A depth because it covers injuries and gives them a ready-made option at all three outfield spots. The player keeps performing, the club keeps the insurance, and the prime years can disappear in the middle of it all.
Marlowe has already shown he’s willing to push back. He opted out of the A’s system after doing the job all season without a promotion, and now he’s testing whether the Angels - or someone else - can offer a better path. It’s a clear-eyed career move from a player who knows time matters.
In Other News...
Mariners Pressure Is Rising Around Dan Wilson And His Staff
Around the majors, the impatient turn has already arrived. The Angels recently made a sweeping coaching change, parting with pitching coach Mike Maddux, bullpen coach Dom Chiti and assistant pitching coach Darryl Scott after a run of poor results, and the move came with a pointed explanation about underusing technology. It was the kind of midseason reset that can rattle a clubhouse, but it also serves as a reminder of how quickly front offices can decide the current message is no longer working.
That is the backdrop hanging over Seattle, where the Mariners struggles have kept the pressure on Dan Wilson and his staff. Wilson has drawn criticism, and so have hitting coaches Edgar Martinez and Kevin Seitzer, even as other clubs such as the Phillies and Red Sox have shown how far an organization can go when it decides change is necessary. For the Mariners, the larger question is not whether the noise is getting louder. It is how long they can keep carrying it before someone higher up decides the conversation has to become action. [Read more 🡒]
Mariners Add Catching Insurance Behind Cal Raleigh
The Mariners added another layer of catching depth this week, claiming Willie MacIver off waivers from the Blue Jays and sending him to Triple-A Tacoma. For a club that values stability behind the plate, it is the kind of low-key move that can matter over the course of a long season, especially with Cal Raleigh entrenched as the top option and the organization looking to keep the position covered at the upper levels.
MacIvers path has been a little unsettled, with Toronto designating him for assignment after previously claiming him from Texas. Seattle had the roster flexibility to take a look, and with open 40-man spots, the team could add a player it views as useful insurance without forcing a tougher decision elsewhere. For now, Tacoma is where that depth begins, and the Mariners can see if MacIver gives them another name to keep in the mix. [Read more 🡒]
Cole Young Gives Mariners A Needed Bright Spot This Season
Cole Young has quietly become one of the more encouraging developments in Seattles season. In his second MLB year, the Mariners second baseman has taken a real step forward from his rookie campaign, showing better contact rates, more consistent barrel work and stronger defensive numbers that have lifted his overall value. For a club that has needed more steady production in a few spots, Youngs growth has offered something tangible to point to.
Edgar Martinez has been part of that climb, and Young has credited work with the Mariners legend for helping unlock more offensive progress. The result is a player who now looks more settled at the plate and more reliable in the field, which matters in a lineup and infield that can use every bit of stability it can get. Whether this becomes a true breakout or simply the next stage of his development, Young has already given Seattle one of its clearest bright spots. [Read more 🡒]