The Seattle Mariners re-acquired catcher Blake Hunt from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for cash.
Hunt, 26, spent time with the Mariners early last season after being acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays in a November 2023 deal. On May 22, Hunt was moved to Baltimore in exchange for right-hander Mike Baumann and catcher Michael Pérez after playing 24 games for Triple-A Tacoma. The Orioles designated Hunt for assignment on Monday.
Hunt appeared in 70 games between the Mariners and Orioles minor league systems last season, batting.218 with 10 doubles, two triples, seven home runs, 28 RBI, 14 walks, and 64 strikeouts.
Infielder Samad Taylor was designated for assignment to make room for Hunt’s entry to the 40-man roster. The Mariners now have ten days to trade, release, or outright Taylor.
Taylor appeared in three Mariners games last season, recording two singles in five at-bats with one strikeout. He hit 262 with 19 doubles, four triples, 11 home runs, 75 RBI, 50 stolen bases, 68 walks, and 156 strikeouts for Triple-A Tacoma last year.
Spring training begins on February 12 in Peoria, Arizona, with pitchers and catchers reporting for their first exercise the following day. The first full-squad exercise is slated for February 18, with the first spring training game against the San Diego Padres on February 21.
Mariners add 12 international signings
On Wednesday, the Mariners revealed 12 foreign signings, including two of MLB Pipeline’s top 20 prospects.
The class is led by Venezuelan outfielder Yorger Bautista (No. 6) and Dominican Republic shortstop Kendry Martinez (No. 19).
“Today is special not only for the players and their families, but also for the members of our scouting staff who have been present throughout the entire evaluation process. There’s no better reward than watching these players’ dreams come true right in front of our eyes,” Mariners senior director of international scouting Frankie Thon Jr. said in a statement. “Not only are we signing two of the top 20 overall prospects, but this position player group in general is also deeper than most years, in regards to both their offensive impact and their overall potential.”
