"At the time, the Mariners envisioned him as a primary DH and a backup to Cal Raleigh behind the plate. Garver did not live up to those expectations on offense, however, as he posted an 88 wRC+ in 720 plate appearances across 2024-25. His contract contained a $12MM mutual option for 2026, though the club unsurprisingly declined their end of the option last month, instead paying Garver a $1MM buyout and making him a free agent."
"Defensively, Garver started 42 games behind the plate this year, covering 376 2/3 innings. While Raleigh was worth 2 Defensive Runs Saved this year and graded out as the third-best pitch framer among qualified catchers, Garver was worth -6 DRS and was considered a below-average framer. He also drew negative marks from Statcast on his blocking and caught stealing rates, while his average pop time was in just the 4th percentile. In truth, Garver has never been a strong defender."
The Mariners traded a catcher to the Nationals in a deal for lefty reliever Jose A. Ferrer and remain open to reuniting with free agent Mitch Garver. Garver, who turns 35 in January, completed a two-year, $24MM contract originally signed in December 2023; the Mariners declined a $12MM mutual option for 2026, paid a $1MM buyout, and made him a free agent. Garver produced an 88 wRC+ across 720 plate appearances in 2024-25, hitting .209/.297/.343 with an 86 wRC+ in 290 plate appearances during 2025. He lowered his strikeout rate slightly but saw a reduced walk rate and continued defensive issues, including -6 DRS, poor pitch framing, negative blocking and caught-stealing marks, and a pop time in the 4th percentile.
Read at MLB Trade Rumors
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