MITCH GARVER INKS A $24M, TWO-YEAR DEAL WITH SEATTLE MARINERS
In a game-changing move that has left fans buzzing, the Seattle Mariners have confirmed to sources that they have inked a two-year agreement worth $24 million with Mitch Garver.
The agreement, which comes in the wake of a flurry of off-season deals by the Mariners, signals their intent to make a strong push for the postseason.
Garver, who had an outstanding season with the Texas Rangers, was a key contributor to their winning the World Series this year.
In 344 plate appearances as a part-timer, playing catcher and designated hitter, Garver exhibited his prowess, hitting .270/.370/.500 with 19 home runs and 50 RBIs.
His performance helped propel the Rangers to new heights, and the Mariners are hoping for the same. Garver’s signing follows the Mariners’ off-season trading of starting third baseman Eugenio Suarez and left outfielder Jarred Kelenic.
This made space for Garver, who is set to provide back-up for Mariners’ starting catcher, Cal Raleigh.
His signing signifies Seattle’s intent to bolster their roster with his outstanding bat, as it comes with a weighted on-base expectation among the top 90th percentile for all hitters last year.
Amidst the commemoration surrounding Corey Seager and Adolis Garcia’s outstanding performances as Texas bagged the league championship, Garver was a quiet but significant in his contributions.
Notably, Garver heated up in Game 2 of the American League Division Series against the Baltimore Orioles, delivering five runs and a grand slam, reiterating his worthiness even in high-pressure scenarios.
Garver escalated his game further in the AL Championship Series Game 6 victory over the Houston Astros, where he produced three hits and a home run.
He also contributed in Game 7, scoring a run and hitting well. Garver concluded a fantastic season by knocking a home run in the World Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Garver, who turns 33 in January, boasts seven years in the major leagues, five of which were spent with the Minnesota Twins, and later traded to Texas.
His vibrant career highlights include a contribution to the Twins’ record-breaking 307 home runs in a single season in 2019, where he had 31 home runs in 359 plate appearances.
Owing to these sterling performances, he was awarded a Silver Slugger Award. During his time with the Twins, Garver was mostly played as a catcher.
However, his role evolved into a backup catcher with the Rangers as they groomed Jonah Heim as their primary catcher.
Despite this, his performance did not falter. As a designated hitter, Garver caught in 14 and 28 games in 2022 and 2023 respectively, and also appeared once as a first baseman last season.
