The Seattle Mariners came to terms on a surprising reunion with backup catcher Mitch Garver on Wednesday, inking him to a minor league deal.

As noted by Daniel Kramer of MLB.com, Garver will make $2.25 million if he's brought up to the majors at any point this season. He also has opt-out clauses on March 21, May 1 and June 1. The Mariners will have a decision to make with him five days before Opening Day as a result.

Garver spent the last two seasons in Seattle after signing a two-year deal worth $24 million before the 2024 campaign. He generally struggled, hitting just .187 over those two seasons, but he did hit nine home runs in 2025 and 15 in 2024. When he steps to the plate, there's always the threat of a homer. That isn't really there with Andrew Knizner, who signed a one-year deal this offseason and currently has the inside track at the backup catcher job.

1) On a $12 million per year deal, Garver's tenure was disappointment. On a $2.25 million deal Garver's production is more tenable, which should endear him more to fans. Furthermore, the organization is obligated to play him when he's making $12 million. They aren't obligated to play him as much on this type of deal, giving Dan Wilson more freedom to utilize other options when he wants to.

2) Garver knows the team and he knows the clubhouse. Furthermore, he knows the pitching staff. For a team that is still centered on its pitching, having familiarity with those behind the plate is extremely important. 

3) Garver can still do damage against left-handed pitching. He had a .718 OPS against left-handed pitching in 2025, making him a platoon-positive advantage for the M's. Knizner only got 25 at-bats against lefties, and while he hit .280, his .680 OPS was lower than Garver's. For his career? He's just a .167 hitter against lefties. The M's can't play the same kind of platoon game they did in 2025 with Knizner, that's for sure.

1) Cal Raleigh is the guy behind the plate. I've just told you that the team isn't under as much pressure to play Garver on this type of deal, so is Garver OK with that? Does he mind a likely even more suppressed role than he had in 2025? Does he want to go somewhere else where he can play more regularly?

2) The Mariners clearly like Garver and they feel he was an important part of their club for the last two years. Knowing that Raleigh is leaving for the World Baseball Classic, the M's have playing time to give a catcher in spring training. Are they bringing in Garver and thinking he will make their roster? Or are they simply thanking him for his previous service and giving him a chance to show out for other teams?

3) The M's have a backup catcher in Knizner who is making $1 million. Do they want to pay more than double that for Garver? Knizner is also on the 40-man roster while Garver is not, which complicates things also.

4) And finally, how about the positioning? We have to assume that Cal Raleigh is always in the lineup, whether at catcher or designated hitter. Let's say Garver plays against some lefties (but not all) in 2026: That forces Raleigh to designated hitter and what does it mean for the duo of Victor Robles and Rob Refsnyder, a tandem we believe to be important moving forward?

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