Beloved Texas Rangers World Series Title Contributor Signs With AL West Foe
This isn't what the Texas Rangers wanted for Christmas.
Catcher Mitch Garver has agreed to a two-year, $24 million deal with the club's American League West opponent, Seattle Mariners, according to multiple reports, including ESPN's Jeff Passan.
Garver was an integral part of the Rangers' postseason run and first World Series championship. As a designated hitter, had three home runs, two doubles, and 14 RBI in 14 playoff games.
Jonah Heim, who made his first All-Star team in 2023, is the Rangers everyday catcher and posed an obstacle for Garver from playing much in Texas.
Garver, however, was a beloved member of the Rangers clubhouse and often provided a clutch veteran presence at the plate and with young pitchers. His RBI single in the seventh inning of Game 5 of the World Series put the Rangers ahead for good. He had five RBI and a game-breaking grand slam in Game 2 of the ALDS against the Orioles.
Mitch Garver's seventh-inning single put the Texas Rangers ahead for good in Game 5 of the World Series.
Garver batted. 246 with 29 homers, 18 doubles, 68 runs scored, and 74 RBI in 141 games over two seasons with the Rangers.
Garver signed with Texas after five seasons with the Minnesota Twins. He won a Silver Slugger Award in 2019 after hitting a career-high 31 homers with a .995 OPS.
Rangers general manager Chris Young has said the club was interested in engaging with each of the team's free-agent players but has yet to announce any deals.
Pitchers Martin Perez, Chris Stratton, and Will Smith have each signed elsewhere.
Heim and Sam Huff remain on the Rangers' 40-man roster. Huff, who turns 26 on Jan. 14, has played in 75 MLB games over the past three seasons, including 21 in 2023. He's batted .262 with nine doubles, 10 homers, and 20 RBI.
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