Imagine being a professional athlete, facing the uncertainty of free agency, only to have your closest teammate become your unexpected lifeline. That’s exactly what happened to catcher Mitch Garver after the Seattle Mariners declined his 2026 option. Despite his two-year stint as the backup to superstar Cal Raleigh in the Emerald City, Garver found himself struggling to land a solid opportunity elsewhere. But here’s where it gets intriguing: it wasn’t a general manager or agent who turned his luck around—it was Raleigh himself, who urged Garver to reconsider Seattle.
“It was a painfully slow offseason,” Garver admitted in a recent interview (https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/how-cal-raleigh-brought-mitch-garver-back-to-the-mariners/). “I wasn’t getting any serious offers. Then Cal called and said, ‘Why don’t you reach out to the Mariners?’ I did, and within 24 hours, we had a deal.”
The 31-year-old Garver signed a minor-league contract that could earn him $2.25 million if he secures a spot on the major-league roster this season. While the financial terms are noteworthy, what’s even more striking is the bond between Garver and Raleigh. Garver credits Raleigh not just for the opportunity, but for the friendship they’ve built over the past two years.
“Being around Cal, supporting him, and giving him the space he needs to thrive—that’s what matters,” Garver explained. “I don’t know what this season will bring, but Cal’s not just a great player; he’s a great person. He’s a good friend.”
And this is the part most people miss: even with Raleigh’s endorsement, Garver’s return to Seattle isn’t a guaranteed victory lap. Spring Training is a make-or-break period for many players, and Garver is no exception. The Mariners already had a contingency plan in place, signing 31-year-old Andrew Knizner to a one-year deal in mid-December (https://www.si.com/mlb/mariners/onsi/news/mariners-andrew-knizner-is-in-the-fold-for-2026). Knizner, with a career .211 batting average and 19 home runs across 324 games, was initially seen as the frontrunner for the backup role before Garver re-entered the picture.
So, despite having the backing of last year’s American League MVP runner-up, Garver will still need to prove himself. Heading into the season, his career stats—.233 batting average, 106 home runs, 309 RBI, and a .440 slugging percentage—give him an edge offensively and in his familiarity with the Mariners’ pitching staff. But here’s the controversial question: Is Garver’s experience and offensive potential enough to secure his spot, or will Knizner’s fresh start in Seattle shake things up?
This isn’t just a story about a player returning to a team—it’s a tale of loyalty, competition, and the unpredictable nature of professional sports. What do you think? Does Garver deserve the backup role, or should the Mariners give Knizner a fair shot? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments!
