Former Seattle Mariners catcher Mitch Garver announced his retirement on Wednesday, according to multiple reports.

Now 36 years old, Garver spent parts of 10 years in the big leagues with the Minnesota Twins, Texas Rangers, and Mariners.

He was a career .229 hitter with 110 home runs and he helped the Rangers win the 2023 World Series.

Garver signed a two-year deal worth $24 million with the Mariners before the 2024 season, but he never really took off in Seattle. He struggled mightily in 2024, hitting just .172 with 15 home runs. He was brought into help anchor the middle of the order as a designated hitter and it just didn't happen. Though he provided some pop, he lost his DH spot and eventually became the backup catcher.

He reprised that role in 2025, though he did DH against left-handers, and performed admirably as the Mariners won the American League West. He hit .209 with nine homers and 30 RBIs while posting an OPS+ of 85.

Garver was a free agent again after the 2025 season and the Mariners re-signed him during spring training to a minor league deal. He ended up making the roster as the M's jettisoned Andrew Knizner, and he struggled to a .175 average with four homers in 50 games. The Mariners designated him for assignment and he latched on with the New York Yankees, though he never appeared in a big league game with them.

Only the 30-team market truly knows, but I believe he could have found an opportunity in 2027. However, it likely would have been a minor league deal. And that, coupled with labor unrest and having no idea when the season will start, just might have made another try not worth it after all.

The Mariners will continue to work toward hiring a new manager in the wake of moving on from Dan Wilson at the end of the season. They have already interviewed former Astros manager Joe Espada and also have interest in former Twins manager Rocco Baldelli.

We also heard about a new name that entered the mix that is intereting.

The latest edition of the 'Refuse to Lose Territory' podcast is out, featuring former Mariners pitcher and current Mariners broadcaster Ryan Rowland-Smith. You can listen here, or you can watch in the YouTube player below.