Cade Marlowe is at it again. For the second time this season, he's asking a Major League organization to make a decision about him. The former Mariners outfielder plans to exercise the upward mobility clause in his minor-league contract with the Los Angeles Angels , according to Ari Alexander of 7News Boston. The clause gives the other 29 teams an opportunity to offer Marlowe a spot on their 40-man roster. If one does, the Angels must add him themselves or arrange a trade. A league-wide pass would likely keep him in the Los Angeles organization.
This is Marlowe using the leverage available to him. He's 29 years of age and has already spent enough time proving he can handle Triple-A pitching.
Mariners fans know Marlowe's story. Seattle selected him in the 20th round of the 2019 MLB Draft out of Division II West Georgia. He steadily climbed through the organization. In August 2023 with Seattle, Marlowe hit a go-ahead grand slam off Carlos Estvez in the ninth inning at Angel Stadium.
He appeared in 42 games for the M's across the 2023 and 2024 seasons,slashing .240/.330/.406 with three home runs. Unfortunately he couldn't hold a spot on the roster and only received 109 plate appearances over that time.
He was DFA'd in February 2025 to clear a roster spot for Jorge Polanco . After passing through waivers, Marlowe remained in the organization and spent much of the season recovering from back surgery. When he returned, he batted .320 with an .882 OPS across 52 minor-league games.
Marlowe elected free agency after the season and signed a minor-league deal with the Athletics . He then went on to slash .317/.394/.521 for their Triple-A affiliate before opting out in July. Four days later, he signed with the Angels, and now he finds himself pressing the issue again.
It's odd that the guy can't get a break. Across Triple-A this season he's hitting .314 with nine home runs and 25 stolen bases. He's not expensive, he's as scrappy as it gets, and no team seems interested in giving him a real opportunity.
Teams love experienced Triple-A depth because it protects them from injuries. Players like Marlowe can cover all three outfield positions, run, produce against minor-league pitching and report whenever the phone rings. That arrangement works beautifully for the organization. But it can swallow a player's prime years.
Marlowe is pushing back against that cycle. He opted out of the A's system after producing all season without receiving a promotion. He joined the Angels and is already testing whether another team can offer a clearer path. That's calculated career management from someone who understands the clock.
This article was originally published on www.si.com/mlb/mariners/onsi as Former Mariners Outfielder Cade Marlowe Triggers Angels Contract Clause .
