Mariners resume regularly scheduled Casey Lawrence programming with MiLB deal

In a prime example of better the devil you know, Casey Lawrence is back with the Seattle Mariners in what feels like the 100th transaction between the pitcher and the organization. Yes, that Casey Lawrence. The news was first reported by Aram Leighton of Just Baseball.

Leighton confirmed that Lawrence has agreed a minor league deal with the Mariners, but in all likelihood he will also receive an invitation to spring training in Peoria ahead of the 2026 season. The now 38-year-old previously spent spells with the organization in 2017, 2018, 2024 and again this past season.

The Mariners quite clearly are incapable of going cold turkey when it comes to Lawrence and as a result, he's now becoming a franchise legend in the weirdest way with how often he keeps returning to Seattle. Back in May we wrote about how often he has been signed, claimed and DFA'd by the organization:

At least Lawrence seems used to the ongoing situation, as he wouldn't keep coming back if he was unhappy with what the Mariners' conduct. When speaking to Tim Booth of The Seattle Times back in late April, he said:

"I think I’m used to kind of the movement of it. And I think it’s one of those things where you understand your role in the team and you’re willing to do whatever is going to help the team. Right now, it’s kind of doing this."

Casey Lawrence

Certainly the McSherrystown, Pennsylvania native has proven to have tremendous mental fortitude, dating back to not being selected in the 2010 MLB draft before signing with the Toronto Blue Jays. And here he is a decade and a half later still pitching away, with his career having even included a spell in Japan with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of NPB.

Casey Lawrence does shine on occasion for the Mariners

In all, Lawrence has made 320 appearances in the minors compared to 65 in the majors, making his presence more about providing pitching depth for the Mariners. Although this past season, he did produced a 3.00 ERA in15.0 combined innings for the M's over five appearances.

The righty has had some high points with the organization, including just last season pitching a complete game for the Tacoma Rainiers and allowing just one run in the process. And back in 2017 he set a Mariners record with nine strikeouts in a single relief appearance, which still stands to this day.

Overall though, the reality is that you're not going to get much to be dazzled by and want to write home about with Lawrence. However, it's at a point now where you just have to sit back and appreciate his dogged determination, as he keeps ticking along and accepting whatever the Mariners do with (to?) him.