Sources - Mitch Garver, Mariners reach 2-year, $24M deal - ESPN

Catcher Mitch Garver and Seattle are in agreement on a two-year, $24 million contract, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan on Sunday, the Mariners' foray into adding to a playoff contender after a winter of dealing off their major league roster.

Garver thrived in part-time at-bats for the Texas Rangers en route to their World Series title this year. In 344 plate appearances split between catcher and designated hitter, Garver hit .270/.370/.500 with 19 home runs and 50 RBIs.

Prior to the signing of Garver, who is expected to back up starting catcher Cal Raleigh and get the lion's share of his at-bats at DH, the Mariners chased their 88-74 season by trading starting third baseman Eugenio Suarez and starting left fielder Jarred Kelenic in money-dump deals. Garver adds a bat with an expected weighted on base near the 90th percentile of all hitters last year.

While he's not the star the Mariners need to pair alongside Julio Rodriguez — Seattle did not pursue Shohei Ohtani in free agency nor Juan Soto on the trade market — Garver certainly fills a need and represents a solid first move.

Corey Seager and Adolis Garcia dominated the headlines as the Rangers made their championship run in October, but Garver pitched in with pivotal hits despite not playing in his team's first-round win over the Tampa Bay Rays.

Before Game 2 of the American League Division Series, Texans manager Bruce Bochy told reporters that he had made up his mind it was time to get Garver into the mix against the Baltimore Orioles — and he delivered by hammering a grand slam and driving in five runs.

Garver also had three hits, including a home run, in an AL Championship Series Game 6 victory over the Houston Astros; he also had a hit and scored a run in Game 7.

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