The Seattle Mariners made notable changes to their 40-man roster recently, resulting in several players designated for assignment. Among those affected was catcher Nick Raposo, who was sent to the Tacoma Rainiers after the team acquired utility player Miles Mastrobuoni from the Chicago Cubs. Raposo, who previously played for the St. Louis Cardinals and Toronto Blue Jays, experienced a challenging stint in Triple-A last season, hitting just .206.

With the Mariners' acquisition of Blake Hunt from the Baltimore Orioles, Raposo's potential role as an emergency catcher diminished. He will now compete with three other catchers at the Triple-A level, marking a significant shift in Seattle's depth behind the plate as they prepare for the upcoming season.

The Seattle Mariners are revamping their coaching staff in anticipation of the 2025 season, particularly within their farm system. The Double-A affiliate, the Arkansas Travelers, has appointed Ryan Scott as their new manager, leaving the Everett AquaSox in need of a leader.

Zach Vincej, recognized as Baseball America's 2024 Minor League Manager of the Year, will take the helm for the AquaSox. Joining him are Hecmart Nieves as bench coach, Jordan Cowan as hitting coach, Matt Carasiti as pitching coach, Max Miller focusing on strength and conditioning, and Stephanie McLain serving as athletic trainer.

A former player with major league experience, Vincej transitioned into coaching with the Mariners’ Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers in 2022. He previously managed the Modesto Nuts, leading them to consecutive California League championships.

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 Baltimore Orioles have secured a one-year contract with relief pitcher Andrew Kittredge worth $10 million. The deal includes a $9 million salary for the upcoming season and a $9 million option for 2026, which comes with a $1 million buyout. Kittredge, a 34-year-old right-hander, previously played for the St. Louis Cardinals, where he recorded a 5-5 record, a 2.80 ERA, and one save last season.

In addition to Kittredge, Baltimore is expecting the return of closer Félix Bautista, who missed the entirety of last season due to Tommy John surgery. The bullpen has been bolstered previously with the addition of Craig Kimbrel, though his performance led to his release before the season’s conclusion.