Mariners' backup catcher will likely be on the move this winter

Mitch Garver has served as an alternate catcher for the Seattle Mariners and a designated hitter at times over the last two seasons. This year, he nearly split his time between catching and as a DH almost evenly.

He struggled at times this season, especially on the offensive side of things. He played in 87 regular-season games, hitting 209/.297/.343 with nine home runs and 30 runs batted in. His most notable struggle this season came when he faced left-handed pitching. 

Going into the offseason, his future with Seattle remains uncertain. He has a $12 million mutual option for 2026, and the Mariners could be making a tough decision here. 

Mariners' backup catcher could be on the move this winter

One pressing concern for Mitch Garver is the development of the team's top catching prospect, Harry Ford. Many believe he will take over the backup role after playing a handful of games at the tail-end of the season. 

With Ford starting to blossom and Garver's underperformance, Garver could be headed elsewhere this winter. Mojosodo's Zachary Rymer believes that will be Seattle's decision. 

"Garver has a $12 million mutual option for 2026, but the Mariners are certain to take the $1 million buyout instead. The 34-year-old went bust with an 86 OPS+ in two seasons in Seattle, and a sac fly off Skubal in ALDS Game 5 was his only memorable playoff moment."

While his time as a starting catcher could be over, there is no denying that there are a few teams that will be looking for catching depth over the winter. He could very well sign a smaller deal with one of these teams and hope to move past his offensive struggles with a change of scenery. 

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