The Seattle Mariners backup catcher role has been one of the most underlooked position competitions this spring training.

Entering this offseason, it was expected that top 100 prospect Harry Ford would take over the Mariners' backup catching duties behind Cal Raleigh. The former was traded to the Washington Nationals in return for left-handed reliever Jose Ferrer.

To make up for the hole on the roster at backup catcher, Seattle signed former San Francisco Giants backstop Andrew Knizner to a one-year, $1 million major league contract Dec. 16.

The Mariners opted to have more competition for the position and acquired Jhonny Pereda in a trade with the Minnesota Twins on Jan. 17 and signed Mitch Garver to a minor league contract Feb. 26.

Garver was the team's backup catcher behind Raleigh for two seasons from 2024-25.

According to a recent report, it seems like Garver is set to back up the 2025 All-Star for a third consecutive season.

According to a post on "X" from Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times, the Mariners have decided to go with Garver as the team's backup catcher going into this season.

Neither of the three have put up great numbers at the plate this spring. Knizner slashed .172/.226/.207 with a .433 OPS in 14 Cactus League games and hit a double with two RBIs.

Pereda slashed .200/.231/.200 with a .431 OPS in 15 games and had an RBI.

Garver has a slash line of .182/.308/.227 with a .535 OPS in nine Cactus League games. He's hit a double with three RBIs.

Despite neither of the three being able to separate themselves from the pack with their bats, Garver's familiarity and repore with the starting rotation and Raleigh gave him an instant advantage over Pereda and Knizner.

Before first baseman Josh Naylor was a signed to a five-year, $102.5 million contract this offseason, Garver had the distinction of earning the highest contract for a free agent hitter in president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto's tenure with the team (2015-present).

Dipoto and Seattle signed Garver to a two-year, $24 million contract before the '24 season.

In two seasons in the Pacific Northwest, Garver slashed .187/.290/.341 with a .632 OPS in 201 total games. He hit 22 doubles, a triple and 24 home runs with 81 RBIs.

After last season, the Mariners optioned to decline their end of a mutual option for Garver for '26.

But now, on a cheaper minor league deal, Garver's value to Seattle is arguably higher and he was able to help the rotation continue to ramp up this spring with Cal Raleigh gone several days with Team USA for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

It's unclear what the Mariners will choose to do with Knizner and Pereda.

Pereda still has one minor league option remaining and Knizner has none. This likely means the former will be optioned to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers to begin the season and Knizner could be a candidate to be designated for assignment or released.

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