Angels Have Decision to Make on Triple-A Outfielder

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Angels Have Decision to Make on Triple-A Outfielder

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Miracle Dimwesh | Last updated Aug 27, 2026 3:32 PM ET

Cade Marlowe has put the Los Angeles Angels in a difficult spot with his latest move, forcing the organization to determine whether his Triple-A production deserves a major league opportunity.

The 29-year-old outfielder exercised the opt-out clause in his minor league contract Thursday, according to sports reporter Ari Alexander. Under the terms of the upward-mobility clause, the Angels have 48 hours to add Marlowe to their 40-man roster or release him to free agency.

Marlowe’s decision comes at an interesting point for the Angels. Los Angeles is 52-82 and has already been eliminated from postseason contention, making the final weeks of the season an opportunity to evaluate players who could potentially contribute in 2027.

Source: OF Cade Marlowe exercised his opt-out with the #Angels.

Marlowe has a .896 OPS and 114 wRC+ across 453 plate appearances in Triple-A this season.

The lefty bat with big league experience has raked in the minors all year. pic.twitter.com/Pl2jEvOD1P
— Ari Alexander (@AriA1exander) August 27, 2026

That could work in Marlowe’s favor. He has been one of the more productive hitters in Triple-A this season, combining power, on-base ability and speed while moving between the Athletics’ Las Vegas affiliate and the Angels’ Salt Lake affiliate.

Across 93 games, Marlowe is hitting .315/.394/.515 with nine home runs, 50 RBIs and 27 stolen bases. He has also posted a .896 OPS and 114 wRC+ across 453 plate appearances.

With the Salt Lake Bees, Marlowe has appeared in 23 games and hit .296/.370/.457. His performance gives the Angels a legitimate reason to consider using one of their 40-man roster spots on him.

The bigger question is whether Los Angeles believes that opportunity is worth making now. The Angels have struggled offensively throughout the season, ranking 24th in MLB with 545 runs and 29th with a .376 slugging percentage.

Los Angeles Angels manager Kurt Suzuki (8) Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Marlowe also enters the situation healthy after spending significant time on the 60-day injured list in 2025 while in the Seattle Mariners organization.

For the Angels, the choice is straightforward but significant: add a productive Triple-A outfielder to the 40-man roster or allow him to test the open market with other clubs potentially interested in his combination of experience, speed and offensive production.

For Marlowe, meanwhile, the opt-out represents a chance to turn a strong minor league season into a major league opportunity. The Angels now have only 48 hours to decide whether that opportunity comes in Anaheim.

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This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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