Entering this offseason, one of the more under-discussed topics for the Seattle Mariners was who the team's backup catcher would be.

With Cal Raleigh firmly entrenched as the team's starter, and coming off a historic season where he set MLB's all-time single-season record for home runs by a catcher and switch-hitter (60), there wasn't a clear plan in place for a backup.

Mitch Garver, who served as the Mariners' backup for the last two seasons, was a free agent and former top 100 prospect Harry Ford was traded to the Washington Nationals in return for left-handed reliever Jose Ferrer.

Seattle seemed to have solved that problem when it signed Andrew Knizner to a one-year deal earlier this offseason. The M's also acquired catcher Jhonny Pereda in a deal with the Minnesota Twins.

It seems like the Mariners weren't content with Knizner and Pereda competing for the backup catcher spot.

On Wednesday, Seattle signed Mitch Garver to a minor league contract, reportedly to compete for the backup catcher job.

Mariners are re-signing Mitch Garver to a minor-league deal to compete as the backup catcher, source confirms.

— Adam Jude (@A_Jude) February 19, 2026

Before first baseman Josh Naylor signed a five-year, $92.5 million contract this offseason, Garver owned the honor of having the largest free-agent contract signed by a position player since president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto joined the front office.

Garver signed a two-year, $24 million contract ahead of the 2024 season. He won a World Series as a member of the Texas Rangers in 2023.

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

This past season, Garver slashed .209/.297/.343 with a .640 OPS and hit five doubles, a triple and nine homers with 30 RBIs in 87 games.

Garver turned up his production in his limited opportunities in the playoffs. He received seven at-bats in six games and slashed .283/.333/.571 with a .904 OPS, hit a triple and had one RBI.

Mitch Garver triple ➡️ J.P. Crawford RBI 😎 #SeizeTheMomentpic.twitter.com/Ul2lJYtAM7

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) October 13, 2025

Garver wasn't able to replicate the same numbers with Seattle that he had with Texas. However, he was able to provide a consistent presence behind Raleigh and helped continue the synergy with the team's pitching staff.

Garver also developed a rapport with starting pitcher George Kirby.

Garver caught for Kirby in a game against the Los Angeles Angels on June 8, 2025, where Kirby set his career-high in strikeouts (14).

Due to Garver's familiarity with the staff, he likely has the advantage in the backup catcher competition against Knizner and Pereda. All three will get extended opportunities from March 5-17 when Raleigh is competing for Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION:

Remember to join our MARINERS on ROUNDTABLE community, which is FREE! You can post your own thoughts, in text or video form, and you can engage with our Roundtable staff, as well as other Mariners fans. If prompted to download the Roundtable APP, that's free too!