MLB Rumors: Mitch Garver Agrees to $24M Mariners Contract After Rangers' WS Win

The Seattle Mariners have signed catcher Mitch Garver to a two-year contract worth $24 million, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan.

Garver was a postseason hero for the Texas Rangers last year, playing a large role in the team's World Series victory. The 32-year-old hit three home runs and 14 RBIs after sitting out during the Rangers' Wild Card Series.

In the regular season, Garver posted a .270 batting average and an OPS of .870 while hitting 19 homers and 50 RBIs in just 87 games.

The seven-year veteran has dealt with several injuries throughout his career, suiting up in fewer than 100 games in each of the past five seasons. He's displayed impressive poise at the plate when healthy, although his availability will be something to monitor moving forward.

Still, he provides some power for a Mariners team that has lost Eugenio Suarez and Jarred Kelenic this offseason. While catcher Cal Raleigh will likely keep his starting spot after hitting a career-high 30 home runs in 2023, Garver can operate as the team's designated hitter while filling in for the 27-year-old if he needs a day off. He'll replace former backup Tom Murphy instead after he signed with the San Francisco Giants on Saturday.

Prior to his time with the Rangers, Garver spent the first five seasons of his career with the Minnesota Twins. He recorded 53 home runs and knocked in 154 RBIs in 1,070 plate appearances with the Twins, winning a Silver Slugger award in 2019.

Mariners manager Scott Servais will rely on Garver for offensive production in the middle of Seattle's lineup, hoping that he's able to help the team improve upon the 88-74 record that was set in 2023 and return to the postseason after making the American League Division Series in 2022.