The Seattle Mariners have made an unusual move in the current free-agent landscape, adding one of the oldest players available on the open market. As reported by Aram Leighton of Just Baseball, Seattle has agreed to a deal with veteran right-handed pitcher, a name that longtime baseball followers will recognize due to his circuitous and persistent professional journey.
Lawrence, now 38 years old, is the very definition of a journeyman player. His career has taken him across multiple organizations, countries, and roles, with long stretches in the minors punctuated by occasional opportunities in the big leagues. Despite the challenges and the limited security that tend to accompany such a career, Lawrence has maintained his commitment to the game, continuing to pitch wherever a team believes he can contribute.
Throughout his MLB tenure, Lawrence has appeared in 65 major league contests, logging a career earned run average of 6.42. At first glance, those numbers may seem modest, but statistics seldom capture the full story of a player who has spent years grinding through the sport’s most difficult tiers. His path has never been straightforward or easy, and each of those appearances was earned through persistence and adaptability.
Lawrence’s introduction to professional baseball itself was unconventional. Unlike many big-league pitchers who enter pro ball through the highly scouted college programs or the MLB Draft, Lawrence came from a much smaller stage. He was an undrafted free agent out of Albright College, a Division III school located in Reading, Pennsylvania.
More: Done Deal: Angels officially confirmed another deal
Being undrafted often means a player begins his career with no guarantees, no bonus money, and no clear path upward—simply an invitation and an opportunity. Yet Lawrence embraced the challenge, spending years refining his craft in the minors.
His major league debut finally arrived in 2017 with the Toronto Blue Jays. At age 29—a relatively late debut by MLB standards—Lawrence made four appearances for Toronto, a moment that validated the years he spent working to defy the odds against him.
Later that same year, the Mariners gave him a larger opportunity, bringing him in for 23 games. That stint with Seattle became one of the more significant stretches of his MLB career, not only because of the number of games he appeared in but because it marked the beginning of an ongoing relationship with the organization.
Lawrence returned to the Mariners in 2018, making 11 more appearances. These early years in the majors demonstrated something teams valued in him: his reliability, his willingness to accept any role handed to him, and his ability to provide innings in a sport where pitching depth is constantly tested. While he was never a frontline starter or a high-leverage bullpen arm, his adaptability made him useful.
After his 2018 season, Lawrence found himself back in the minors and overseas for stretches, continuing the life of a journeyman—traveling, adjusting, learning new systems, and doing whatever was required to stay in the game. His next major league action didn’t come until 2022, when he resurfaced with the Blue Jays. Toronto gave him six more appearances, showing that his reputation as a dependable, experienced pitcher continued to earn him opportunities even after long absences.
More: Done Deal: Giants essential trade shore up bullpen with massive addition
In 2023, Lawrence received another big-league chance, this time with the St. Louis Cardinals. He pitched in 15 games for St. Louis, adding another chapter to a career full of unexpected turns. While he wasn’t a central figure in their pitching staff, he remained a valuable depth option—one of those pitchers teams rely on throughout the grind of a 162-game season.
The year 2024 passed without a major league appearance for Lawrence, a stretch that might have signaled the end for many players in his situation. But Lawrence isn’t a typical case. He resurfaced yet again in 2025, pitching five games for the Seattle Mariners and posting a 3.00 ERA—a brief but encouraging performance that demonstrated he could still be effective in the right circumstances. He also had a single outing with the Blue Jays that year, though that appearance was far less successful.
Still, even a “rough outing,” as it was described, didn’t deter him. Lawrence has long lived in a world where setbacks are simply part of the lifestyle. Baseball, especially for non-stars, isn’t just a game—it’s a constant test of resilience.
More: Braves essential trade land 3.44 ERA Padres ace
Players like Lawrence spend years riding buses in the minors, receiving last-minute travel assignments, and learning not to unpack their bags too deeply in any one city. Every call-up could be temporary. Every demotion could be just around the corner. And yet, he has continually embraced it, showing a grounded humility and work ethic that coaches often praise.
Now, with the Mariners bringing him back into the fold once again, Lawrence’s story continues. Seattle has shown a willingness to bring in experienced pitchers who can provide stability, innings, and leadership, especially for younger players navigating the unpredictable world of professional baseball. For Lawrence, the signing means another opportunity to contribute, another clubhouse to enter, and another chance to do what he has done for nearly two decades—show up, compete, and handle whatever assignment comes his way.
What makes Lawrence’s career so admirable is not a dazzling statistical record or a trophy-filled résumé. Instead, it’s his refusal to give up, his loyalty to the sport, and his acceptance of a role that often comes with little recognition. He understands that his job isn’t glamorous and that his roster spots have frequently been temporary. But he has continued to prepare, continued to pitch, and continued to make himself available whenever a team needs someone exactly like him.
In a sport increasingly dominated by youth, power, and analytics, Lawrence represents something refreshingly human: perseverance. At 38 years old, he is still traveling from clubhouse to clubhouse, adjusting to new teammates, and responding to the unpredictable demands of the game he loves.
More: BREAKING: Giants obvious target after trend of adding strong defensive outfielders
Each signing, including this latest one with Seattle, is a reminder that baseball still has room for players who earn their place through grit and consistency rather than pedigree.
For the Mariners, the signing is low-risk but potentially meaningful. Depth is vital in modern MLB rosters, and Lawrence provides precisely that. For Lawrence, it is one more chapter in a long story that shows no signs of ending. He may not know how long this stint will last, but he undoubtedly understands how to make the most of each moment. And for a player like him, just having another chance is proof that his hard work and persistence continue to be noticed.
Lawrence’s baseball journey is not finished yet—and if history is any indication, he will continue to take advantage of every opportunity, no matter where it leads.
MORE MLB NEWS:
-
Breaking News: Cardinals put five more players on the move during sell-off
-
Red Sox to Land Phillies All-Star Catcher Despite Recent Connor Wong Deal
-
Understand Cardinals’ $4.4M Left-Handed Reliever Officially Generating Trade Interest
-
Cardinals to trade top baseman after Sonny Gray deal with Red Sox
-
Breaking: Mets lock down second base, end up keeping super-utility man
-
Breaking: Giants land 3.36 ERA Ace who mastered the sinker to pair with Logan Webb
Be the first to comment