BREAKING TRADE: Seattle Mariners acquire catcher Blake Hunt from Orioles

The Brief

The Mariners acquired catcher Blake Hunt from the Baltimore Orioles for cash considerations.

Infielder Samad Taylor was designated for assignment.

The Mariners made 12 international signings, including Venezuelan outfielder Yorger Bautista and Dominican Republic shortstop Kendry Martinez.

The Seattle Mariners have re-acquired catcher Blake Hunt in a trade with the Baltimore Orioles for cash considerations.

Hunt, 26, spent time with the Mariners organization early last season after being acquired in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays in November 2023. After playing in 24 games for Triple-A Tacoma, Hunt was traded to Baltimore for right-hander Mike Baumann and catcher Michael Pérez on May 22. Hunt was designated for assignment by the Orioles on Monday.

Hunt played 70 games last season between the Mariners and Orioles minor league systems, batting .218 with 10 doubles, two triples, seven home runs and 28 RBI with 14 walks and 64 strikeouts.

Infielder Samad Taylor was designated for assignment to open a spot for Hunt’s addition on the 40-man roster. The Mariners now have 10 days to trade, release or outright Taylor.

Taylor appeared in three games for the Mariners last season with two hits in five at-bats with a strikeout. He hit. 262 with 19 doubles, four triples, 11 home runs, 75 RBI and 50 stolen bases, with 68 walks and 156 strikeouts last year for Triple-A Tacoma.

What’s next:

Pitchers and catchers are set to report for spring training in Peoria, Ariz. on February 12 with their first workout the following day. The first full squad workout is scheduled for February 18, and the first spring training game against the San Diego Padres on February 21.

Mariners add 12 international signings.

The Mariners also announced12 signings for their international class on Wednesday, which includes two of MLB Pipeline’s top 20 international prospects.

The class is headlined 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.”

The rest of the class includes: