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Cade Marlowe to Trigger Upward Mobility Clause, Leaving Angels Minor-League Roster
Cade Marlowe, the Los Angeles Angels’ left‑handed outfielder, will activate the upward‑mobility clause in his minor‑league contract on Monday, a move that could force the Halos to offer him to the other 29 MLB clubs. The clause, revealed by Ari Alexander of 7News Boston, requires the Angels to either promote Marlowe to a major‑league roster or release him if another team places him on its 40‑man list.
Marlowe’s journey began in Seattle. Drafted in the 20th round of the 2019 MLB draft, he rose to become a top prospect in the Mariners’ system. Baseball America ranked him as the 16th‑best player in the organization when he earned a promotion to the majors in 2023. In his rookie season he posted a .239/.330/.420 slash line with three home runs and a 12% walk rate over 100 plate appearances, while striking out 33% of the time and recording a .346 batting average on balls in play.
After a brief stint in 2024, Marlowe was designated for assignment by Seattle and spent the remainder of the season with their Triple‑A affiliate. He elected minor‑league free agency in the winter, signed a minor‑league deal with the Oakland Athletics, opted out of that contract in mid‑July, and then signed a new minor‑league agreement with the Angels a few days later.
The 2025 season has been a bright spot for the former Mariners prospect. Between the Athletics’ and Angels’ Triple‑A teams, he batted .315/.394/.515 in 407 plate appearances, hit nine home runs, stole 27 bases, struck out 21.4% of the time, and drew 10.8% of the walk rate, translating to a 117 wRC+ in the hitter‑friendly Pacific Coast League. Over his entire Triple‑A career, Marlowe has compiled a .276/.364/.459 line with 40 home runs and 118 stolen bases in 1,443 plate appearances.
Los Angeles’ outfield has been in flux this year. The club traded starting right fielder Jo Adell to the Cleveland Guardians before the August 3 deadline, leaving the Angels to rely on left‑handed hitter Josh Lowe, who has posted a .611 on‑base plus slugging (OPS) and a 68 wRC+ in 224 plate appearances.
If another organization claims Marlowe, he could secure a return to the majors, especially if the Angels keep him in their system. The upward‑mobility clause gives him a path to a team willing to add him to a 40‑man roster, but it also forces the Angels to decide whether to promote him or release him should a club express interest.
The Angels’ roster situation remains tight. Their 40‑man list is full, and the organization has been active in the trade market to fill gaps left by the Adell trade. Marlowe’s activation of the clause could prompt other teams to evaluate whether they have room for a left‑handed outfielder with power and speed.
In short, Marlowe’s decision to trigger the upward‑mobility clause on Monday will compel the Angels to offer him to the rest of MLB. If a club is willing to add him to its 40‑man roster, the Halos will either promote him or release him. The move could open a path for Marlowe to return to the majors, but it also underscores the Angels’ ongoing effort to balance their roster after recent trades and performance struggles in the outfield.
The Angels will monitor the market over the next few days. If no team claims Marlowe, he will remain in the Halos’ minor‑league system. The outcome will affect the Angels’ depth in the outfield and the potential for Marlowe to earn a major‑league opportunity in 2026.
Marlowe’s journey began in Seattle. Drafted in the 20th round of the 2019 MLB draft, he rose to become a top prospect in the Mariners’ system. Baseball America ranked him as the 16th‑best player in the organization when he earned a promotion to the majors in 2023. In his rookie season he posted a .239/.330/.420 slash line with three home runs and a 12% walk rate over 100 plate appearances, while striking out 33% of the time and recording a .346 batting average on balls in play.
After a brief stint in 2024, Marlowe was designated for assignment by Seattle and spent the remainder of the season with their Triple‑A affiliate. He elected minor‑league free agency in the winter, signed a minor‑league deal with the Oakland Athletics, opted out of that contract in mid‑July, and then signed a new minor‑league agreement with the Angels a few days later.
The 2025 season has been a bright spot for the former Mariners prospect. Between the Athletics’ and Angels’ Triple‑A teams, he batted .315/.394/.515 in 407 plate appearances, hit nine home runs, stole 27 bases, struck out 21.4% of the time, and drew 10.8% of the walk rate, translating to a 117 wRC+ in the hitter‑friendly Pacific Coast League. Over his entire Triple‑A career, Marlowe has compiled a .276/.364/.459 line with 40 home runs and 118 stolen bases in 1,443 plate appearances.
Los Angeles’ outfield has been in flux this year. The club traded starting right fielder Jo Adell to the Cleveland Guardians before the August 3 deadline, leaving the Angels to rely on left‑handed hitter Josh Lowe, who has posted a .611 on‑base plus slugging (OPS) and a 68 wRC+ in 224 plate appearances.
If another organization claims Marlowe, he could secure a return to the majors, especially if the Angels keep him in their system. The upward‑mobility clause gives him a path to a team willing to add him to a 40‑man roster, but it also forces the Angels to decide whether to promote him or release him should a club express interest.
The Angels’ roster situation remains tight. Their 40‑man list is full, and the organization has been active in the trade market to fill gaps left by the Adell trade. Marlowe’s activation of the clause could prompt other teams to evaluate whether they have room for a left‑handed outfielder with power and speed.
In short, Marlowe’s decision to trigger the upward‑mobility clause on Monday will compel the Angels to offer him to the rest of MLB. If a club is willing to add him to its 40‑man roster, the Halos will either promote him or release him. The move could open a path for Marlowe to return to the majors, but it also underscores the Angels’ ongoing effort to balance their roster after recent trades and performance struggles in the outfield.
The Angels will monitor the market over the next few days. If no team claims Marlowe, he will remain in the Halos’ minor‑league system. The outcome will affect the Angels’ depth in the outfield and the potential for Marlowe to earn a major‑league opportunity in 2026.
