The Los Angeles Angels signed outfielder Cade Marlowe to a minor league deal, and he's had success in the A's system.
The Los Angeles Angels announced that they’ve agreed with fomer Athletics outfielder Cade Marlowe, according to a report from Steve Adams fo MLBTradeRumors.com that referenced material from Ari Alexander of 7News. Marlowe recently opted out of his minor league deal with the A’s, and his new contract with the Angels also reportedly has some future opt-out possibilities as well.
Marlowe was a prospect in the Seattle Mariners system, and he’s played in parts of two big-league seasons. His composite numbers from 2023-24 include a slash line of .240/.330/.406 in 109 plate appearances, according to Adams, but he does have a high strikeout rate of 31.2 percent.
The 29-year old outfielder is an accomplished Triple-A hitter, however, who posted good numbers in the A’s system. He slashed .317/.394/.521 slash with seven homers and 24 steals in 26 attempts across 361 plate appearances, according to Adams, with a 10.8 percent walk rate and a 19.9 percent strikeout rate.
The Pacific Coast League is considered a hitter’s league, but Marlowe’s numbers were above league average, the writer noted, and he seemed to make gains in improving his strikeout rate.
The Angels could offer a better opportunity to more playing time. Josh Lowe has been struggling around the .200 mark for most of his time with the Halos, and while Jo Adell is entrenched in right, he could be on the move soon.
The Angels have gotten some production from Wade Meckler as a waiver wire pickup, and Jose Siri has also hit well at times, but Siri could also be on the move and there could be spots coming open soon. There could also be opportunities in center, as Trout should be rested more with the Angels having little to play for.
The Angels are going to be active at the deadline, and reports have them listening to offers on all of their controllable players. Most of the focus has been on Adell, shortstop Zach Neto and starters Reid Detmers and Jose Soriano, but there’s going to be action everywhere on the diamond, so expect more pickups as the Angels try to fill in and find diamonds in the rough along the way.
Other clubs will be watching players like Marlowe as well. The Angels have a new interim in John Mozeliak, so there’s little or no certainty in playing for a job in Anaheim. Changes are coming, so Marlowe could get a larger role than the one he had in Seattle.
