Mariners, Garver agree to 2-year, $24M deal
The Seattle Mariners agreed to a two-year, $24-million contract with free-agent catcher Mitch Garver.
Adding some Garv-sauce to the squad ๐
โ Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) December 28, 2023
We have signed C/DH Mitch Garver to a 2-year contract through 2025 with a mutual option that runs through the 2026 season.
๐ https://t.co/slXA00YraU pic.twitter.com/bAj9GW3hTc
Garver spent the last two seasons with the Texas Rangers and helped them win their first World Series in franchise history in 2023. He landed in Texas in March 2022 when the Minnesota Twins traded him for Isiah Kiner-Falefa and a prospect.
Injuries limited Garver to 141 appearances over the last two campaigns. He hit .270/.370/.500 with 19 homers and 50 RBIs in 2023, making him one of the most productive backstops in the American League when healthy.
The Mariners figure to pair the 32-year-old Garver with incumbent catcher Cal Raleigh, who slugged 30 home runs a year ago in an everyday role. Garver could also get at-bats as a designated hitter.
The Rangers, meanwhile, have an All-Star behind the plate in Jonah Heim and a young backup in Sam Huff already on the 40-man roster.