Mariners Sign Veteran Catcher Brian O’Keefe to Minor League Deal

This blog post digs into the Seattle Mariners’ recent minor-league signing of catcher Brian O’Keefe. We’ll look at the winding road of his pro baseball career and what this return to Seattle might mean for both O’Keefe and the Mariners, especially with the current state of their catching depth.

We’ll also trace his path through different organizations, highlight some standout moments, and touch on a few recent rough patches.

O’Keefe’s Journey Back to the Emerald City

Brian O’Keefe just signed with the Seattle Mariners again and picked up a Spring Training invite. For him, this isn’t just another minor-league contract—it’s a return to a place that feels familiar.

He made his Major League debut with Seattle in 2022, getting into 10 games with the club through 2023. Since then, his career has been a wild ride, full of the ups and downs you’d expect from life in pro baseball.

From Twin Cities Tryout to Royal Resurgence

After his first go-round with the Mariners, O’Keefe tried his luck at the Minnesota Twins’ Spring Training. He worked hard but got released in March, which, honestly, happens to a lot of guys chasing the big leagues.

Not one to sit around, he signed a minor-league free agent deal with the Kansas City Royals.

* In 2024, O’Keefe found his groove with the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers.
* He hammered 18 home runs and put up a strong 130 wRC+ over 72 games.
* Those numbers got him another Spring Training invite—this time from the Royals.

But baseball can be brutal. Back in Omaha, his bat cooled off fast, and he hit just .158 in 43 games this year.

That slump led to his release in June. Once again, he was left searching for his next shot.

O’Keefe’s Origins and the Mariners’ Catching Conundrum

O’Keefe’s long path started when the St. Louis Cardinals drafted him in the seventh round of the 2014 draft. He hit well in the Cardinals’ system but never got past Double-A.

In December 2019, he joined the Mariners’ organization. He finally reached the majors with Seattle, first stepping in when Curt Casali went on paternity leave and later getting more time after Tom Murphy got hurt.

Decoding the Mariners’ Catching Depth Chart

The Mariners already have a solid primary catcher in Cal Raleigh, who’s become a fan favorite for his power and defense.

But recent offseason moves have really shaken up the team’s catching depth chart. Suddenly, there’s a window for players like O’Keefe.

* The Mariners traded their top catching prospect, Harry Ford, to Washington in the deal that brought reliever Jose A. Ferrer to Seattle.
* That trade definitely thins out their immediate catching future in the upper minors.
* The club thought about bringing back veteran Mitch Garver, but in the end, they passed.
* Instead, they’ve added a few new faces to strengthen their catching group:
* They picked up Andrew Knizner.
* They traded for Jhonny Pereda.
* They also handed out Spring Training invites to veterans like O’Keefe and Jakson Reetz.

All these moves show the Mariners want a deep, competitive group behind the plate. Brian O’Keefe, with his MLB experience and a solid bat at Triple-A, has a real shot to earn a role—even if it starts as depth in Tacoma.
 
Here is the source article for this story: Mariners Sign Brian O’Keefe To Minor League Deal