With spring training in full swing, the battle for starting positions across MLB is heating up, particularly in the AL West. The Houston Astros are reconsidering Jose Altuve's role, with potential shifts to left field following Alex Bregman's departure, raising fantasy stakes for second base options like Mauricio Dubon and Brendan Rodgers.

In Los Angeles, the Angels face uncertainty at shortstop with Zach Neto sidelined, placing Luis Rengifo in a favorable position for daily at-bats. Meanwhile, the Athletics are looking to Seth Brown for left field duties amidst a crowded roster, and the Mariners' Mitch Garver and Mitch Haniger aim to rebound from poor seasons as they vie for designated hitter spots. The Rangers, on the other hand, are eager to see how Evan Carter performs in center field, especially with Adolis Garcia's injury.

Frustration mounts among Seattle Mariners fans as the offseason progresses with minimal roster upgrades. The Mariners have only signed two free agents, Donovan Solano and Jorge Polanco, both on short-term deals, despite a pressing need for significant improvements after narrowly missing the playoffs last season. This trend reflects the franchise's recent history of underwhelming free-agent activity, ranking 25th in spending over the past two years. While some players like Mitch Garver and Randy Arozarena have been added via trade, the reliance on homegrown talent and lower-budget acquisitions continues to characterize the Mariners' approach. With a spring training report looming, fans remain eager for impactful moves.

The Seattle Mariners are in pursuit of finalizing a slower-than-usual offseason under President of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto. Recently, catcher Curt Casali signed a minor league deal with the Atlanta Braves after spending part of the 2022 season with the Mariners, where he played just 16 games.

Casali's stats during his time with Seattle were modest, hitting .125 with a home run. After his brief stint with the Mariners, he had a second term with the San Francisco Giants in 2024, hitting .194 in 41 games. The Braves already have catchers Sean Murphy and Chadwick Tromp on their roster, but Casali's experience makes him a likely candidate for an emergency role.

In response to Casali's departure, the Mariners have bolstered their catching position by acquiring Blake Hunt from the Baltimore Orioles, positioning him behind Cal Raleigh and Mitch Garver as the team's third-string catcher.

The Baltimore Orioles have officially designated catcher Blake Hunt for assignment, allowing them a week to trade, waive, or release him. If he goes unclaimed, there’s a possibility he could return to the Orioles and be assigned to their minor league system.

Hunt, 26, could be a valuable asset for the Seattle Mariners, who previously had him in their minor league system before trading him to Baltimore in exchange for reliever Mike Baumann last May. His minor league stats show a .241 batting average, and he played well with Triple-A Tacoma this year, hitting .293 with four home runs and driving in 20 runs.

The Mariners are currently facing depth issues at the catcher position, relying on Platinum Glove winner Cal Raleigh and veteran Mitch Garver, with only prospect Harry Ford as additional support. The recent designation of Nick Raposo further emphasizes the need for more robust options. If the Mariners pursue Hunt, they will need to navigate their 40-man roster due to current limitations.

The Seattle Mariners are in a critical phase as they approach the 2025 season, with Opening Day set for March 27. The team is actively seeking to fill gaps at second and third base, and they are also looking for a first baseman to complement Luke Raley. However, as of late December, they have not made significant progress in addressing these needs.

During the Winter Meetings, there was speculation about a potential trade involving veteran pitcher Luis Castillo and Boston Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas, but that deal did not materialize. The Mariners have since missed opportunities to secure other first base options such as Christian Walker, Carlos Santana, Josh Naylor, and Paul Goldschmidt, as well as second base candidate Gleyber Torres.

With a payroll cap of $16-20 million for 2025, the Mariners might have to turn to trade possibilities to solve their roster dilemmas. A possible avenue could be rekindling discussions with the Tampa Bay Rays regarding first baseman Yandy Diaz. Seattle had previously shown interest in Diaz before the trade deadline, and with Tampa Bay's interest in Mariners prospect Harry Ford, this could lead to a mutually beneficial deal.

Diaz is contracted for $10 million in 2025, with a club option for 2026, while fellow infielder Brandon Lowe is owed $10.5 million. The Mariners may consider moving Harry Ford, a top prospect who had a solid season in Double-A, as part of a trade package. Ford, who has been recognized as a top 100 prospect, could be key to addressing the Mariners' ongoing infield challenges.