The Seattle Mariners are closing in on a backup catcher.
Chris Cotillo of MassLive reports that the club’s in negotiations with Andrew Knizner to fill the void behind Cal Raleigh.
It’s a move that makes sense given their current situation. Mitch Garver, last season’s backup, remains a free agent. The Mariners also traded prospect Harry Ford to Washington in the Randy Arozarena deal.
Garver seemed like he had a decent shot at returning, but Seattle’s apparently looking elsewhere.
What Knizner Brings
The 30-year-old catcher brings solid defensive skills and veteran experience. He entered pro ball as a seventh-round pick of the Cardinals back in 2016 and worked his way up as Yadier Molina’s backup in St. Louis.
Knizner spent five seasons with the Cardinals, appearing in 255 games while batting .216 with 17 home runs and a .621 OPS. Not spectacular offensive numbers, but that’s not really what you’re looking for in a backup catcher.
His 2024 season was rough – he hit just .167 in 35 games with Texas before finishing the year in Triple-A, where he rebounded to .221 in 33 games.
The bat will never be Knizner’s calling card. What he offers is steady defense behind the plate and the kind of veteran presence that can help guide a pitching staff.
That’s exactly what Seattle needs. They’ve got Raleigh locked in as their primary catcher, but depth matters over a 162-game season. Knizner wouldn’t be a bad insurance policy to have in the organization.
The Mariners are clearly trying to shore up their roster after making some moves this offseason. Adding a reliable backup catcher might not grab headlines, but it’s the type of move that could pay dividends down the road.
