The Mariners announced that outfielder Cade Marlowe has been designated for assignment. That is the corresponding move to open a roster spot for infielder Jorge Polanco, whose one-year deal to return to the club is now official.
Marlowe, 28 in June, was a 20th-round pick of the Mariners back in 2019. He continually posted good numbers as he was climbing the minor league ladder, so the Mariners gave him a roster spot in November of 2022 to keep him out of the Rule 5 draft. He has spent the past two years as a depth outfielder, getting only limited looks in the majors. To this point, he has received 109 big league plate appearances with a .240/.330/.406 line. His 11.9% walk rate in that time is strong but he’s also been punched out at a 31.2% rate.
His minor league numbers have tailed off in that time. He had a combined slash line of .281/.373/.523 over 2021 and 2022, which translated to a 129 wRC+. His 27% strikeout rate was on the high side but he offset it with an 11.5% walk rate and 49 home runs. But over 2023 and 2024, that line has been down to .246/.340/.419, translating to an 85 wRC+. His 11.9% walk rate was still good but the punchouts jumped even higher to 29.4%.
That diminished offense on the farm has seemingly nudged him off the edge of Seattle’s roster. They will now have at most a week of DFA limbo to figure out what’s next for him, whether that’s a trade or some fate on waivers. The waiver process takes 48 hours, so any trade talks would need to come together in the next five days.
He does still have one option remaining, so he could perhaps appeal to a club in search of some extra outfield depth. Though the offense has dipped, he has continued to be a threat on the basepaths. He has stolen between 24 and 43 bases in each of the past four minor league seasons. The strikeouts have been an issue even when at his best but he has some wheels, some pop, can take a walk and can be sent to the minors regularly for one more season, all of which adds up to an intriguing package overall.
We didn’t give cade much of a chance when he deserved more
I loved him in 2023 he had strong plate discipline compared to others
Kids a great athlete as well. I liked him too. Reminded me a bit of Jake Fraley
23 career hits, compared to his 34 career strike outs.
He had a 32.4 K% in AAA last season and it was around the same in his brief call-up in 2023.
His discipline was just as bad as the alternatives.
He has some good all around skills (at least that he has shown in the minors) but was starting to age out as a prospect. Though it is an odd time of year where it is a bit easier to pass guys through waivers, he is a kid I could see someone taking a flyer on.
Streaky kid, I doubt this is the last we’ll hear of him. He’ll get red hot somewhere at some point again and get another shot.
I’d think he’d make a solid 4/5 OF for a lot of teams. Why pay guys millions to bring little to the table when you could try someone like him who might be quad A just to see what he could do if given a chance.
Worth noting that Seattle has just one outfielder on the 40 that isn’t expected to be on the opening day roster (Canzone).
It’s kind of funny that one of Seattle’s biggest weaknesses since 2020 has been a lack of overall depth, yet little has changed.
I think Canzone is likely on the Opening Day 26 man roster. Our current OF is Randy, Julio and Victor. Our 4th OF is Luke, but he’s supposed to play 1B more often than not. Our 5th option would be Moore, but he is needed for 2B/general UTIL. Therefore, it’d make way more sense to have Canzone over Haniger on the Opening Day roster as it gives a bit more defensive cover and a LHH bench bat.
In place of who?
Right now the 13 position players are Cal, Raley, Moore, JP, Polanco, Haniger, Randy, Julio, Robles, Garver, Solano, and one of Bliss/Rivas.
If Moore is at second, and he likely will be, they have to have another alternative for SS.
No room for Canzone unless Haniger is cut loose or injured.
Your 13 position players only add up to 12 (assuming one of Bliss/Rivas). Canzone is #13.
I was trying to explain (poorly) that they’ll need another option for SS if Moore is used regularly at 2B, which would mean both Bliss and Rivas would be needed.
Canzone isn’t likely in the mix and he’s the lone outfielder on the 40 that isn’t currently slotted for the opening day roster.
He’s needed for depth.
So you’re thinking that with Moore at 2B you would need two other middle IF on the roster who could play SS if needed (or play 2B so he could move to SS)? Seems a little redundant, particularly since neither Bliss nor Rivas brings much else to the table.
Rivas would be the only real alternative to play SS defensively. It wouldn’t be ‘redundant’.
They may find another bat somewhere. But I don’t think they’re going to put Canzone on the roster to sit him on the bench, especially with a lack of outfield depth in Tacoma.
JP had a down year. They’re hoping for a rebound. Polaco had a down year. They’re hoping for a rebound. They’re likely going to use their best utility player to cover 2B, and their other key utility player to DH and cover 1B vs. LHP.
Yeah, the infield is a bigger concern than having a fifth outfielder.
Bliss has started 225 games at SS in the minors with a .963 fielding percentage, Rivas 427 with a .961 (yes, I know fielding percentage isn’t the best way to measure defense but it’s all we’ve got for that level). But if you don’t trust Bliss at short he could be used at 2B and Moore at SS when necessary to flll in for JP. Keeping both Bliss and Rivas is rostering two utility IF with limited offensive profiles.
And talk about hoping for rebounds, you’re happy with Haniger as the fourth OF? That role is tailor-made for Canzone, especially with Julio/Randy/Robles all being RHH (yes, Haniger had reverse splits but he still sucked against righties). Plus Robles isn’t exactly a proven quantity despite last season’s 77-game showing. Not sure they’re too worried about Tacoma’s outfield missing Canzone if he can help the big club, you can always find warm bodies to back up Packard/Thomas/Polkovich/Fajardo.
Why would you think that I’d be happy with Haniger as the fourth outfielder?
I’m simply stating what we can expect to happen with what Seattle has. But there’s hardly an argument for Canzone to be on the team.
Wait and see what happens. Just don’t be surprised if they prioritize the infield. Locklear is in that conversation as well.
They have 6 OF on 40 (5 likely on 26 man) + Moore so they should have plenty of depth for this season
That’s not the reality.
Moore is going to be needed in the infield, Raley is going to be the first baseman vs. RHPs, and Haniger is their fourth outfielder and part-time right now.
Canzone is almost certainly going to be in Tacoma and represents the lone outfielder on the 40 that’s not on the active roster.
That may not seem like a big deal, but it’s telling of how thin their depth is.
Raley is going to be playing most days. He’s going to be playing plenty of 1B, backup at all 3 OF, and DH. Haniger will get playing time in RF, and Moore will likely play his role he’s been playing and play everywhere including plenty of OF. I agree Canzone will be in AAA but that is plenty of OF on big league roster.
If Haniger plays a single inning in the OF this season, it’s a mistake. He has absolutely no range anymore.
Packard is a corner outfielder at Tacoma who can hit a little. (He’s not a great fielder.) samad Taylor will be at Tacoma as a 2b/cf, so I assume he can play left and right. If Raley’s at 1b and an of needs to come out, Raley can easily switch positions (Solano or Moore or even Garver can cover first). Or Moore can switch positions (Bliss or Polanco or Solano can cover second). There’s so much positional flexibility built into this roster that if Haniger plays some OF, it will be because Dan Wilson wants him to..
Moore is going to play a lot of second. I wouldn’t bet on him playing the outfield.
The point wasn’t about outfield options on the active roster, though. They only need one alternative and they have that in Haniger, regardless of how long he lasts.
The point is about outfield depth beyond the active roster.
They are thin.
Sure, as a non-40 player, Packard would be an option. But the lack of defense and lack of power doesn’t make him a great depth piece.
The amount of rookie autos I have from players who have end up being DFA within the next year is ungodly.. thanks a lot Topps :’)
All it takes is one player to become Tom Brady and go from unknown to goat
The only guy I enjoyed playing besides JROD… Sell this team please.
You’re upset about them DFA’ing an OF that is currently something like 8th on the depth chart, plays poor defense, strikes out a ton, and is a 27 yo that was not very good in AAA last year?
I thought his defense was actually pretty good. But, no, he won’t be missed.
He’s missed by mariner
Perhaps Cade Marlowe will revisit his earlier plan to pursue medical school:
mlb.com/news/cade-marlowe-continues-to-make-strong…