The Mariners' Catching Conundrum: A Reunion with Mitch Garver?
In a surprising turn of events, the Seattle Mariners are considering a reunion with free agent catcher Mitch Garver. But here's the catch (pun intended): Garver, now 35, hasn't quite lived up to expectations on the offensive side of the plate. Yet, with some intriguing defensive prospects and a need for a reliable backup, the Mariners might just be willing to give him another shot.
The Mariners' recent trade of catcher Harry Ford to the Nationals has left a gap in their catching depth chart. And this is where Garver's name comes into play. Signed to a $24MM deal in 2023, Garver was envisioned as a primary DH and a backup to Cal Raleigh. However, his offensive output over the last two seasons, with an 88 wRC+ in 720 plate appearances, fell short of the team's expectations.
In 2025, Garver's batting average was a modest .209, with an on-base percentage of .297 and a slugging percentage of .343. While he improved his strikeout rate, his walk rate took a slight dip. This performance, while not exceptional, could still be considered adequate for a backup catcher. After all, Garver was signed as a bat-first player, coming off a stellar 2023 season with the Rangers, where he posted a 142 wRC+ and hit 19 home runs.
Defensively, Garver started 42 games behind the plate in 2025, but his metrics weren't impressive. He was worth -6 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) and was considered below-average in pitch framing. His blocking and caught stealing rates were also below par, and his average pop time was in the bottom 4th percentile. It's safe to say that Garver's defensive skills have been on a downward trajectory since the COVID-shortened 2020 season, and it's unlikely to improve as he ages.
So, why would the Mariners consider a reunion? Well, there are some encouraging signs in Garver's offensive profile. His hard-hit rate in 2025 was an impressive 46.9%, six points above the league average. He also increased his average exit velocity to 91.5 mph, a notable improvement from 2024. The key for Garver will be to improve his performance against four-seam fastballs, as his wRC+ against this pitch type dropped significantly from 2024 to 2025.
A lower-cost reunion with Garver makes financial sense for the Mariners. With Ford traded and catching prospects Luke Stevenson and Josh Caron still in Single-A, the team lacks a clear backup to Raleigh. Given that the $12MM mutual option was declined, a one-year deal worth $6-8MM could be a reasonable move to bring Garver back into the fold.
The Mariners' catching situation is an intriguing one. Will they take a chance on Garver's offensive rebound? Or will they look elsewhere for a more consistent backup? What do you think, baseball fans? Should the Mariners give Garver another chance, or is it time to move on? Let us know in the comments below!
