Gregory Santos, a 25-year-old reliever for the Seattle Mariners, is generating buzz early in spring training after a challenging previous season marred by injuries. Santos only managed to pitch in eight games last season, suffering from a right latissimus dorsi strain and biceps inflammation, posting a 4.91 ERA. However, he previously showed promise with a 3.39 ERA in 2023 while playing for the Chicago White Sox, where he struck out 66 batters in 60 appearances. The Mariners are optimistic that if Santos can regain his form, he could be pivotal for a bullpen that struggled last season.

At a recent bullpen session, Mariners president Jerry Dipoto praised Santos, indicating that he’s looking good. With a potential trio of Santos, Andres Munoz, and Matt Brash, the Mariners could solidify their late-game strategy. The team is coming off a narrowly missed playoff berth and is eager to return to postseason play, having not advanced past the ALDS since 2001.

Julio Rodríguez, the Seattle Mariners' standout outfielder, is expected to be the key player for the team's success in 2025. As he enters his fourth season, the Mariners are relying heavily on him following a less prolific 2024 season, where he posted a .273 batting average alongside 20 home runs and 24 stolen bases. This was a drop from his previous All-Star performances, but at just 24 years old, the potential for improvement remains significant.

New hitting coach Kevin Seitzer has expressed confidence in Rodríguez, asserting that the young star is just beginning to tap into his capabilities. Seitzer, who has a history of coaching talents like Ronald Acuña Jr., sees great promise in Rodríguez's future. The Mariners are also looking to support him with players like Cal Raleigh, Randy Arozarena, and Jorge Polanco, anticipating a resurgence from J.P. Crawford as well. With spring training just around the corner, Mariners fans have reason to be optimistic about the upcoming season.

Teoscar Hernández, the former Seattle Mariners slugger, has expressed his discomfort playing at T-Mobile Park during his time with the team. He revealed on the 'Foul Territory' TV program that he struggled to find his rhythm, attributing it to the batter's eye and visibility of the ball from the pitcher. Despite a season with 26 homers and 93 RBIs, his overall batting average of .258 raised concerns. Hernández, a seasoned player, is now with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he enjoyed a successful season with 33 homers and 99 RBIs.

The Mariners, who narrowly missed the playoffs for two consecutive years, are still looking to boost their lineup's power. Re-signing Jorge Polanco and relying on young talent like Julio Rodriguez and Cal Raleigh are key components of their strategy moving forward.

Fantasy baseball seasons are heating up, with catchers taking center stage in the 2025 rankings. William Contreras of the Milwaukee Brewers stands out as the top catcher after an impressive 2024 season, hitting 23 home runs and driving in 92 runs. For fantasy players, securing a solid catcher is vital, especially for those using two in their lineups, as the depth in talent diminishes quickly beyond the top tier.

Several other notable catchers are also making waves in the rankings, including Cal Raleigh, Shea Langeliers, and Tyler Soderstrom. These rankings are backed by experts who have consistently produced accurate projections in the industry. Players should keep an eye on injuries and updates around the league, particularly regarding moves like the Padres' interest in Christian Vázquez and other minor-league signings.

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.