The Mariners have acquired catcher Blake Hunt from the Rays in exchange for minor league catcher Tatem Levins, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Passan adds that Hunt, one of the prospects the Rays received from the Padres in exchange for left-hander Blake Snell during the 2020-21 offseason, will join the Mariners 40-man roster.
Hunt has spent three seasons in the Tampa Bay system since coming over in the aforementioned Snell deal. The right-handed hitter struggled offensively between 2021-22. He had a better showing in the upper minors this past season. Hunt split the year between Double-A and Triple-A, combining to hit .256/.331/.484 with 12 home runs in 67 games.
Since he has logged parts of seven seasons in the minor leagues, the 24-year-old (25 this week) was slated to become a minor league free agent. The Rays evidently weren’t going to add him to the 40-man roster. Seattle has, thereby keeping him off the market and ensuring he joins the organization. Hunt is the only backstop behind Cal Raleigh on the 40-man, making it likely the M’s bring in a veteran #2 option this offseason to keep Hunt in Triple-A to begin the year.
In exchange for a player they could have lost for nothing, Tampa Bay acquires a further off minor league catcher. Levins was an eighth-round pick out of the University of Pittsburgh in 2022. The left-handed hitter spent the year in Low-A, hitting .286/.358/.476 in 66 games against generally younger competition. He won’t be eligible for the Rule 5 draft for two seasons.
Rays got massacred for Blake Snell once Patino ended up a bust. One of the worst trades for a top pitcher in recent memory
Yep. It was a total disaster of a trade. Rays got a little out of Mejia, but that was about it.
The trade was built around Patino as they seemed sure he was the real deal. His stuff is great, just was miserable every time they called him up. Definitely one of the worst trades in franchise history.
What a weird trade. A minor league catcher for a minor league catcher.
It’s about roster space. Hunt needs to be added to Seattle’s 40. Levins doesn’t need to be added to Tampa’s 40.
And Seattle needed near-ready depth, so this makes plenty of sense for both clubs.
Thanks, that makes sense.
Except that the Rays also need near-ready catcher depth…., as they always do. The catching black hole remains…
Logan Driscoll and Kenny Piper say hello.
Good move.
With Raleigh as primary and the backup guy still to be determined, whether Tom Murphy or O’Whatsizname (kind of flaky), this is just more good housekeeping.
Fred, I hope they can bring back Murphy. I wonder what kind of money he’ll command on the free market? He’s one of those heart and soul guys. A fan fave for sure.
Me, too, BPax. I hope so.
It’s because one catcher didn’t require a 40 man roster spot and the other did.
5 years in the minors and has only progressed to AA. If he’s taking up one of the 40 man spots, we’re either not going to take FA seriously or we’re going to lose some pieces in the rule 5 draft. Way to go Jerry!
He had 30 games (120 something PA) in AAA and should be starting in AAA. He’s depth that might pass through waivers, if need be.
He’s 24 and in AAA. Cal Raleigh was a AAA catcher at the same age. Who are they going lose in rule 5? Kuhn, Rddriguez, and Deloach are the only ones that someone would take in the rule 5 draft and I would assume Rodriguez gets added.
Levins is only 6 months younger and just got to single A. I think Hunt’s the better catching prospect.
What about his brother Mike?
Moe from Moe’s Tavern…..”Is Mike here? Is Mike Hunt here?”
Bart: I’m calling for a guy, last name Jass, first name Hugh..
Starting to wonder if bringing back Tom Murphy is looking less likely or this is simply insurance?