Mitch Garver -- General News

Mitch Garver has agreed to a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners for the 2026 season, marking a striking reversal from his previous financial commitment. In 2024, Garver signed a two-year, $24 million deal with Seattle following an exceptional 2023 season in which he produced a 142 wRC+ with 19 home runs across 300+ plate appearances despite a two-month injury absence. This offensive profile ranked as the 18th best by a catcher this century and represented elite hitting performance. Through his first seven MLB seasons (ages 26-32), Garver maintained a 124 wRC+, tying him with Hall of Famer Gary Carter for 32nd all-time among catchers. However, despite remaining healthy in 2024 and 2025—avoiding IL time and appearing in 201 combined games—his offensive production collapsed entirely. Over these two seasons, Garver batted .187 with an 88 wRC+ and -0.4 WAR, a dramatic decline from expectations. His performance deteriorated particularly sharply against right-handed pitchers, where he posted a 66 wRC+ and was relegated to platoon duty by mid-2024. Underlying metrics reveal the source of decline: his 90th-percentile exit velocity fell from 106.6 mph in 2023 to 104.4 mph subsequently, indicating diminished power generation. The new minor league deal includes opt-out provisions allowing Garver to test free agency in late March, May, or June if he remains in the minors.

The Seattle Mariners signed veteran catcher Mitch Garver to a Minor League contract, with the 35-year-old expected to arrive at the Peoria Sports Complex on Thursday for a physical. The deal is worth $2.25 million if Garver makes the club's 26-man roster at any point during the 2026 season. Garver spent the past two seasons in Seattle, having signed a two-year, $24 million free-agent contract in the 2023-24 offseason—the largest position player deal by the Mariners under president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto, though since surpassed by Josh Naylor's five-year, $92.5 million contract signed in November.

Garver will compete for the backup catcher position behind Cal Raleigh against Andrew Knizner and Jhonny Pereda. Knizner appears to have an advantage after signing a one-year, $1 million free-agent contract on December 16 and exhausting his Minor League options, while Pereda (acquired from the Twins on January 27) has one option remaining. The signing represents depth at a position the Mariners prioritized this offseason, particularly after trading prospect Harry Ford to the Nationals for reliever Jose A. Ferrer.

As an Article XX(B) free agent with six years of service time, Garver retains opt-out rights under the Collective Bargaining Agreement on May 1, June 1, and five days before Opening Day if he signs a Minor League deal at least 10 days before Opening Day. This structure allows veteran players on the back half of their careers to audition during spring training games for other teams while maintaining roster flexibility. The arrangement mirrors Rowdy Tellez's deal last spring, which ultimately led to his promotion when the Mariners needed a lefty-hitting first baseman.

The Seattle Mariners defeated the Houston Astros 8-3 on May 14, 2026, with Mitch Garver playing a pivotal role in an offensive showcase. Garver, filling in for injured starting catcher Cal Raleigh who was placed on the IL, delivered his best game of the season and contributed significantly to the team's offensive output. The Mariners' batters were particularly effective in two-out situations, scoring seven of their eight runs with two outs and generating 11 total hits. The team also set a season high with seven extra-base hits while maintaining discipline at the plate with five walks against just six strikeouts.

Luke Raley's three-run home run in the early innings, following a Brendan Donovan leadoff double and Randy Arozarena walk, provided the Mariners' initial run production. Starting pitcher Luis Castillo staked the early lead despite showing command issues, walking Yordan Álvarez and Isaac Paredes on five pitches in one sequence. The victory secured not only a series win over the Astros but also guaranteed the Mariners a winning record against their AL West rival.

The Seattle Mariners defeated the Houston Astros 8-3 on Thursday, with backup catcher Mitch Garver delivering a crucial performance hours after star catcher Cal Raleigh was placed on the injured list with a right oblique strain for the first time in his career. Garver homered in the fourth inning, a 369-foot blast into the Crawford Boxes that drove in J.P. Crawford and extended the Mariners' lead to 5-1. The victory improved the Mariners to 22-23 and marked their 10th win in their last 11 games against the Astros. Luke Raley also contributed with a three-run homer in the first inning, while Brendan Donovan fell one home run short of the cycle. Luis Castillo pitched sharply, his best outing in six weeks. Garver, 35, had minimal free agent interest this winter before Raleigh personally recruited him back to the organization in mid-February, leading to a one-year contract as Raleigh's backup. Garver acknowledged the unique situation and stated on the broadcast: "We're all thinking about Cal right now...But the show must go on, so somebody's gotta do it. I'm gonna fill in and Jhonny (Pereda) is gonna be here and we're gonna do our best to keep the train moving."