Veteran outfielder Connor Joe is joining the Mariners, the team announced. He’ll replace Victor Robles, who’s heading to the injured list with a pectoral strain. Right-hander Carlos Vargas was shifted to the 60-day IL to clear a 40-man spot for Joe. Vargas went down with a lat strain in late March.
Joe joined the organization on a minor league deal in February. He was tremendous in MLB Spring Training, slashing .340/.411/.560 over 20 games, but fell short of a big-league roster spot. Joe spent a couple of weeks with the Padres in 2025. He went hitless in 10 plate appearances. The veteran was traded to the Reds in May. He hit .213 in 35 games with Cincinnati.
The 33-year-old Joe will provide some defensive flexibility off the bench for the Mariners. He spent time at all three outfield spots and first base with the Reds. Joe graded out as a neutral defender by Defensive Runs Saved last year. He’s likely overextended as a center fielder, but should be able to contribute on the corners.
After a couple of seasons in Colorado, Joe showed he wasn’t just a product of Coors Field, posting a 106 wRC+ with the Pirates in 2023. He earned regular playing time with the club the following year, but his production slipped below league-average levels. Seattle already has a right-handed bench outfielder in Rob Refsnyder. Joe could factor in at first base against lefties when Josh Naylor needs a day off.
Robles had been limited to part-time work with Luke Raley and Dominic Canzone both off to decent starts. He was injured during a pregame workout on Tuesday, per Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times. A dislocated shoulder limited Robles to just 32 games in 2025.
Photo courtesy of Rick Scuteri, Imagn Images
🎶Where did you come from, where did you go? Where did you come from, Conor Joe?🎶
Him over Wisdom is a terrible choice for a bench bat add a pinch hitter who can actually hit.
Not a terrible choice because they needed an outfielder who hits RH, not a DH who kinda sorta can play 1B. Refsnyder is awful in the field. The question is: could Raley play every day, even against lefties, and is that better or worse than Connor Joe?
Joe’s greatest achievement is being called out on strikes
What have you accomplished ?
Let’s see here
I served 6 years in the military as a Combat Engineer, earned a degree in Environmental Science and volunteer for homeless shelters
But I am not a baseball player though I watched Joe when he played for the Pirates
He gets called out on strikes often
He’s coming up as the RHB OF platoon partner. He’s a better choice than Wisdom for that.
Joe gives me major Tommy Pham vibes.
One of those guys who just refuses to go away. Just keeps turning minor league deals and low-guarantee contracts into legit big league production. Always feels like he’s fighting for a roster spot, even though he’s consistently more useful than your fanbase’s favorite not-quite-ready prospect.
I’ll always root for guys like this
“Always feels like he’s fighting for a roster spot…”
Well one difference is thats not literal. Joe hasn’t been linked to “hockey enforcer” behavior. lol
I agree. These types are better than your bottom of the roster filler guys yet not good enough to guarantee a job and consistent playing time. Nothing wrong with a player comfortable with their role.
come on Ref!! you can do it
Connor Joe is also a cancer survivor