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Alden Gonzalez, ESPN Staff Writer
The Seattle Mariners have agreed to terms on a major league contract with veteran center fielder Victor Robles, adding an experienced right-handed hitter who can occasionally start against opposing left-handers, sources confirmed to ESPN on Monday.
Robles, 27, was officially released by the Washington Nationals on Saturday after a seven-plus year stint in which he slashed .236/.311/.356 with 31 homers and 70 stolen bases in 530 games.
Robles, primarily a center fielder, will be in a reserve role most of the time but can also spell left-handed-hitting corner outfielders Dominic Canzone and Luke Raley against opposing lefties from time to time. Robles has been a below-average hitter for most of his major league career but has a lifetime .727 OPS against lefties, 85 points higher than his mark against righties.
Once a highly rated prospect with plus speed and an elite glove, Robles emerged with a 2019 Nationals team that went on to win the World Series, OPS’ing .745 with 17 homers and 28 steals while establishing himself as one of the sport’s best defensive center fielders. But Robles’ adjusted OPS sat at just 68 from 2020 to 2022, 32 percentage points below the league average.
He was then limited to 36 games because of a lumbar spine strain in 2023 and struggled offensively in limited action in 2024, going 3-for-25 while missing more than a month with a hamstring injury. The Nationals designated Robles for assignment last Monday in order to clear a roster spot for fellow outfielder Lane Thomas, signaling the departure of the last remaining position player from their 2019 World Series team.
The news was first reported by the “Locked On Mariners” podcast.