George Kirby's 2024 season with the Seattle Mariners showcased resilience and growth, even with a rocky start. After struggling with a 5.26 ERA in April, Kirby rebounded, culminating in a 3.53 ERA by season's end, highlighted by 179 strikeouts in 191 innings. A key turning point came when backup catcher Mitch Garver stepped in, fostering a significant communication dynamic that helped Kirby regain his rhythm.

Despite shoulder inflammation that will sideline him early in the next season, Kirby's potential remains high. His ability to adjust and thrive post-injury will be essential for Mariners' pitching plans. The chemistry he developed with Garver indicates a promising partnership moving forward.

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.