The Seattle Mariners and their fans received quite a Christmas gift on Sunday.
The Mariners have agreed to a contract with free agent catcher Mitch Garver, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. Garver agreed to sign with Seattle for two years and $24 million.
BREAKING: Catcher Mitch Garver and the Seattle Mariners are in agreement on a two-year, $24 million contract, pending physical, sources tell ESPN.
Merry Christmas and happy holidays to him, Mariners fans who get to celebrate an unexpected gift and everyone else.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 25, 2023
The Mariners had been linked to Garver in early December, but nothing came of it until Sunday. He hit .270 with 19 home runs in 87 games for the Texas Rangers in 2023, playing an important role for a team that ultimately went on to win the World Series. The veteran catcher can also play first base and DH, giving Seattle some lineup flexibility.
Though they went 88-74 last season, the Mariners watched two AL West rivals face off in the ALCS and one win the World Series. They have also received criticism from fans — and even one of their players — for not spending enough money. That criticism was exacerbated when they started the offseason with a big cost-cutting move. Adding Garver might help quiet some of those critics.
