When it comes to the Seattle Mariners and looming roster decisions, most of the conversation is about starting pitching pitching and what the team will do with Bryce Miller and Luis Castillo.

For now, the M's are going with a six-man rotation and a piggyback situation, but that can only last so long. 

However, there are other roster decisions coming for the Mariners. Namely, what will happen with Victor Robles?

A former top prospect with the Washington Nationals, Robles helped Washington win the World Series in 2019 before struggling over the next several years. The Nationals DFA'd him in 2024 and the Mariners picked him up - and he became a revelation.

In 77 games with the 2024 M's, Robles hit .328 with 30 stolen bases. The Mariners signed him to a two-year contract extension worth $10 million.

However, in 2025, Robles spent most of the year injured and suspended, hitting just .245 over 32 games. The Mariners have utilized him in a platoon role in 2026 against left-handed pitching, but he's hitting just .231 in 13 at-bats. He's played only five games and has spent much of the year injured with a right pec strain.

The 28-year-old has also struggled on his rehab assignment at Triple-A Tacoma, hitting .207 (6-for-29) with one RBI and two stolen bases. He does have a .357 on-base percentage. He's been on the rehab assignment since May 3 and the M's will have a decision to make shortly.

I discussed this further on the most recent edition of the 'Refuse to Lose Territory' podcast.

"Victor Robles has not been a particularly strong part of the Mariners roster since 2024. I am just wondering, is there a chance, is there a chance that the Mariners could bypass Victor Robles, DFA him, and bring up Brennen Davis? I’m just asking you to think, is there a chance? I think there is a chance. I’m not saying it’s likely, but I think there is a chance.

Now, play this out in our heads. Let’s say everybody’s healthy in the next few days. I would guess that Connor Joe is the guy who’s gonna go down. He has a minor league option. Even though he’s played well generally, he’s had a minor league option. So he’s the easiest to send down.

I think Rob Refsnyder is staying. Whether you like him or not, I think Rob Refsnyder is staying. So Refsnyder stays, Connor Joe goes. Who comes up is the question.

Robles is the easy answer. He’s the veteran. He’s played well here before. We know that Dan Wilson likes veterans. We know that Dan Wilson trusts veterans. We know the Mariners invested in Victor Robles. He’s making $5 million this year, of which there’s still, I don’t know, $3.5 million left or so prorated, right? So there’s a financial commitment to Victor Robles. So he’s the easy answer to bring up. Brennen Davis stays in Triple-A. Connor Joe goes to Triple-A.

But I am wondering. We saw the Mariners eat money last year on Leody Tavares, more than $3 million. Could the Mariners eat money on Victor Robles to get Brennen Davis into the fold? Rumor has it that Brennen Davis has an opt-out in his contract. I would presume that is by the end of May. So do the Mariners give Robles a week and then see where they’re at and then maybe make the decision?

There’s something to watch moving forward."

UPDATE: Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times has the notes on Davis's contract. He has an assignment clause on Friday, meaning we should get a clearer resolution to his situation soon.

Davis is hitting .293 at Tacoma with eight homers and 25 RBIs. He's carrying a .404 on-base percentage. He's 26 years old and under team control for several seasons, whereas Robles has just this year remaining.

The Mariners will play the San Diego Padres at 6:40 p.m. PT on Friday night.

You can listen to the most recent 'Refuse to Lose Territory' podcast, featuring Rob Bradford of the 'Baseball Isn't Boring' podcast here, and you can also watch the episode on YouTube.

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