The Seattle Mariners are poised to shake up their catching lineup with a potential deal for a seasoned veteran—who could be the perfect understudy in a high-stakes battle for backup duties!
Hey baseball fans, let's dive into the latest buzz from the MLB offseason. According to a report from Chris Cotillo of MassLive, the Mariners are actively negotiating with free agent catcher Andrew Knizner, aiming to secure him as a reliable backup to their star player, Cal Raleigh. If they can hammer out a major league contract, Knizner would step right into that supporting role, providing depth behind the plate for a team that's hungry for stability.
To give you some context, Knizner spent the latter part of the 2025 season with the San Francisco Giants after a bit of a nomadic journey. He kicked off the year at Triple-A with the Nationals but was let go in mid-May, only to sign a minor league pact with San Francisco and swiftly earn a spot on their big league roster just weeks later. There, he played second fiddle to standout catcher Patrick Bailey, who, as a two-time Gold Glove winner, commanded most of the playing time. Knizner did get a brief stint as the everyday catcher when Bailey was sidelined for about a week and a half due to a neck injury, showcasing his readiness when called upon.
Now, for those new to the game, a Gold Glove is like an Oscar for defensive prowess in baseball—it's awarded annually to the best fielders at each position. Bailey's elite status naturally limited Knizner's opportunities, but it highlights the competitive environment Knizner navigated. Turning 31 in February, this 30-year-old veteran caught 28 of his 32 games behind the dish, racking up 88 plate appearances with a .221 batting average, .299 on-base percentage, and .299 slugging, plus a single home run. Over his career, spanning parts of seven MLB seasons with teams like the Cardinals, Rangers, and Giants, he has a .211/.281/.316 slash line in nearly 1,000 plate appearances. That might sound modest, but at the Triple-A level, where he's logged 583 trips to the plate, his numbers shine brighter at .292/.387/.443—proving he's no slouch in the minors.
Defensively, Knizner brings over 2,200 innings of major league experience. Early in his career, his pitch framing—think of it as how well he catches pitches to help umpires call strikes—wasn't his strongest suit, according to public metrics. But in the last couple of seasons, he's improved to around average in that area, though his pitch blocking has lagged a bit. His arm strength is decent but not elite, resulting in a below-average 16.4% baserunner throw-out rate over the past four years. For beginners, pitch framing and blocking are key skills for catchers: framing makes borderline pitches look like strikes to help your pitcher, while blocking stops wild pitches from rolling far.
But here's where it gets controversial—why did the Giants decide to part ways with a guy who could offer solid veteran leadership? The Giants chose not to offer Knizner a contract for his final arbitration year, even though MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz had estimated a modest $1.3 million salary for him. Instead, they're keeping the door open for rookie Jesus Rodriguez to compete for the backup spot in spring training. This move sparks debate: Is prioritizing a young prospect over an experienced hand the smart play for rebuilding, or does it undervalue reliability? It's a classic rookie-versus-vet showdown that could fuel endless discussions among fans.
Meanwhile, the Mariners find themselves in a unique spot. They don't currently have a second catcher on their 40-man roster after Mitch Garver headed to free agency, and they recently traded rookie Harry Ford to the Nationals for left-handed reliever Jose A. Ferrer last week. Knizner, with over five years of MLB service time, can't be demoted to the minors without agreeing to it. Signing a big league deal would position him as the likely number-two catcher heading into camp. The Mariners might scout additional options through waivers or minor league free agency to challenge him for the role, but let's be real—this isn't a position demanding massive investment. Cal Raleigh is a fixture in the lineup, appearing almost daily either catching or as designated hitter. He caught in 119 games and logged 1,072 innings behind the plate last season, a workload matched only by heavy hitters like J.T. Realmuto and Willson Contreras. For context, that's a grueling schedule that tests endurance, so having a dependable backup like Knizner could be a game-saver.
And this is the part most people miss—the Mariners' strategy here could redefine how they approach depth in a cost-effective way. By opting for a veteran like Knizner, are they wisely filling a gap without breaking the bank, or should they gamble on younger, cheaper alternatives? It's a decision that balances experience against innovation, and baseball purists might argue both sides passionately.
What do you think, readers? Is Andrew Knizner the right fit for the Mariners, or do you believe they should explore other avenues for their catching corps? Share your thoughts in the comments below—do you agree the Giants made a mistake letting him go, or is this a savvy move for Seattle? Let's hear your takes!
