Mariners Sign Garver to Minor League Deal

The Seattle Mariners have agreed to a minor league contract with veteran catcher Mitch Garver, including a non-roster invitation to spring training, positioning the 35-year-old to compete for a backup role behind primary catcher Cal Raleigh. The deal, reported on Wednesday and pending a physical examination, would pay Garver a $2.25 million salary should he earn a spot on the major league roster during the season.

Garver spent the past two seasons with the Mariners after signing a two-year, $24 million free-agent contract in late 2023, initially intended to serve as the team's primary designated hitter. The club declined a mutual $12 million option for 2026, allowing him to enter free agency. In 209 games with Seattle, Garver batted .187 with a .290 on-base percentage and .341 slugging percentage, hitting 24 home runs and driving in 81 runs while posting a .632 on-base-plus-slugging mark. His performance included a brief postseason contribution last year, where he went 2-for-7 with a triple, a walk, and a sacrifice fly in the American League playoffs.

A nine-year major league veteran, Garver began his career with the Minnesota Twins in 2017, earning a Silver Slugger Award in...