Mariners not likely to pick up $9M option on fan favorite outfielder

The Seattle Mariners have had quite the rough 2026 season, as they should be way better than they have been playing all season long.

Whether it's injuries, stars underperforming, or a few key players not playing well enough, the Mariners have had a very disappointing 2026 season. Some change is likely coming after the season, and that could begin in the outfield.

ESPN's Jeff Passan predicts that the Mariners are not going to pick up the $9 million option for fan favorite outfielder Victor Robles, as he's not been nearly valuable enough to warrant such a high price tag.

Mariners not likely to pick up Victor Robles' $9M option

"Unlikely to be picked up... Victor Robles, Mariners, $9 million ($500,000 buyout)," Passan predicts.

This decision from the Mariners would not be a surprise at all. Robles, the 2019 World Series champion with the Washington Nationals and the fan-favorite Mariners outfielder, is not close to being worth $9 million.

So far in 2026 for Seattle, he has played in 63 games and posted 0.0 bWAR with just 34 hits, 14 runs scored, three doubles, two triples, zero home runs, nine RBIs, 10 stolen bases, nine walks, 22 strikeouts, and a .632 OPS.

In his MLB career, he has a .683 OPS, and with the Mariners, he's posted a .740 OPS. That was thanks to an incredible 2024 season that he's not come close to matching.

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Two years ago, Robles had an .860 OPS and a 153 OPS+ in 77 games with Seattle, where he posted 3.0 bWAR with 75 hits, 41 runs scored, 20 doubles, four homers, 26 RBIs, and 30 stolen bases.

If he were playing at that 2024 pace this season, his $9 million club option would be one the Mariners would likely pick up.

But with his 2026 production, the Mariners are not likely to pick up his $9 million option. That doesn't mean he cannot return to the Mariners in 2027; it just means he'll hit the open market and have a chance to sign with a new club this upcoming offseason.

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