The Mariners didn’t land Jorge Polanco, and yes, fans are understandably itching for a headline move. But while the big swing hasn’t come yet, Seattle made a quieter move this week that’s worth more than just a passing glance.
The team signed outfielder Brennen Davis to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training. For anyone who’s followed prospect rankings over the past few years, that name should ring a bell.
A few seasons ago, Davis wasn’t just a name on a list - he was the name in the Cubs system, a top-15 overall prospect in baseball according to MLB Pipeline back in 2022. He had real tools across the board, but it was his power - graded at 60 - that got scouts and fans alike buzzing.
Since then, it’s been a tough road for Davis. Injuries have piled up like chapters in a history book - back surgery in 2022, core surgery in 2023, a broken leg in 2024, and more setbacks in 2025.
It’s been a rough stretch, no doubt. But there’s still something there, and Seattle is betting on that.
After being non-tendered by the Cubs, Davis landed in the Yankees organization, and when he was healthy, he reminded everyone why he was once so highly regarded. In just 36 games with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, he posted a .900 OPS and launched 12 home runs. That’s not just solid - that’s impact-level production, even in a small sample.
He turned 26 in November, which puts him in that in-between space - no longer a rising prospect, but still young enough to reinvent himself as a late-blooming contributor. For the Mariners, this is a classic low-risk, high-upside play. If Davis can stay healthy and show that same pop in spring training, he could force his way into the conversation for at-bats - especially in a right field mix that’s still unsettled.
Right now, Julio Rodríguez and Randy Arozarena have center and left field locked down. But right field?
That’s still a revolving door with Victor Robles, Luke Raley, and Dominic Canzone all in the mix. None of them have truly claimed the spot, and if Davis comes in swinging, he could add some real intrigue - whether as a right fielder or even in a DH role.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t the Mariners’ answer to missing out on Polanco. This is more of a side quest - but sometimes, those side quests turn into something bigger. And if Davis can stay on the field, Seattle might just have found a hidden gem with something to prove.