The Seattle Mariners have reportedly added veteran catcher Mitch Garver to their organization on a minor league contract, according to sources who spoke with ESPN insider Jeff Passan on Wednesday. The deal provides Seattle with experienced depth behind the plate as the club continues shaping its roster ahead of the upcoming season.
At 35 years old, Garver is expected to enter camp competing for a backup role behind starting catcher Cal Raleigh, who finished as the American League MVP runner-up last year. Garver will battle with fellow catchers Andrew Knizner and Jhonny Pereda for positioning on the depth chart. While Garver has spent the past two seasons serving primarily as Raleigh’s understudy, his original signing with Seattle came with the expectation that he would contribute significantly as the team’s designated hitter.
During his two-year stint with the Mariners, Garver struggled to find consistent offensive production. Across 201 games in that span, he posted a .187 batting average, clubbing 24 home runs and driving in 81 runs while finishing with a .632 OPS. Though those numbers fell short of expectations, they only tell part of the story of a player who has demonstrated substantial power potential throughout his career.
Garver’s overall major league résumé spans nine seasons, during which he has compiled a .233 lifetime batting average with 106 home runs and 309 RBIs. He earned a Silver Slugger Award in 2019, the same season he delivered the finest offensive campaign of his career. That year, while playing for the Minnesota Twins, Garver launched a career-high 31 home runs and emerged as one of the most productive offensive catchers in baseball. His breakout performance solidified his reputation as a legitimate power threat at a premium defensive position.
In addition to his individual accolades, Garver also brings championship experience to Seattle’s clubhouse. He was part of the Texas Rangers squad that captured the World Series title in 2023. That postseason run added another meaningful chapter to his career and demonstrated his ability to contribute within a winning environment.
For the Mariners, this minor league agreement represents a low-risk opportunity to add seasoned depth. If Garver can rediscover even a portion of the offensive spark that defined his 2019 campaign, he could provide valuable right-handed power off the bench or in a timeshare role behind Raleigh. At minimum, his veteran presence and postseason pedigree give Seattle additional insurance at a demanding position.
As spring preparations continue, Garver’s performance in camp will determine whether he secures a spot on the major league roster. Regardless of the outcome, the move underscores Seattle’s intent to bolster its catching corps with experienced options capable of stepping in when called upon.
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