Unlike former Seattle Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik, Jerry Dipoto hasn’t been one to dish out large contracts during his time in Seattle. Dipoto was the Mariners GM from 2015 to 2021 and was promoted to President of Baseball Operations in 2023.
During his time in Seattle, he’s developed the nickname “Trader Jerry” due to his ability to swing a trade out of thin air. With limited financial support from owner John Stanton, this is the way things have to go in Seattle. However, they do have a bit of room to work with in the money department. Dipoto was able to secure star outfielder Julio Rodríguez to a multi-year deal in 2022, signing the phenom to a 12-year, $209 million deal. Ace Luis Castillo also saw a salary uptick when he signed a five-year, $108 million extension the same year.
Mitch Garver Seeking Bounceback Season After Slow Start in Seattle
Free agents haven’t seen a lot of money handed out by Seattle in the last decade, especially hitters. The biggest contract given out to a free-agent hitter in the Dipoto era was Mitch Garver‘s two-year, $24 million deal.
Garver didn’t exactly light the world on fire in the first of two seasons with Seattle. The pure hitter the Mariners needed, Garver’s pre-Seattle career was very promising. From 2017 to 2023, Garver spent time with the Minnesota Twins and Texas Rangers, slashing .252/.342/.483 with 82 home runs and 225 RBI. He accumulated 9.7 WAR. With fan-favorite Cal Raleigh taking most of the time behind the plate, it became clear that Garver was the everyday DH.
Unfortunately, life in Seattle started slow and never got going. Garver played a career-high 114 games but was relegated to backup catching responsibilities following the club’s acquisition of Justin Turner at the deadline. With Turner assuming most of the everyday DHing duties, Garver saw his production decline further.
In 2024, Garver slashed .172/.286/.341 with 15 home runs and 51 RBI, striking out a career-high 133 times. It’s safe to say both the fans and Garver himself were disappointed. But, surprisingly, there are some positives. He walked a career-high 53 times and had his second-highest RBI total. Garver also reached double-digit home runs for the fifth time in his career.
Where Does 2025 Lead Us?
The Mariners often tend to cut ties when things don’t work out. Adam Frazier, Kolten Wong, Jesse Winker, and many more have seen the axe after poor seasons. Jorge Polanco was even let go before later re-signing with the club.
That leaves Mitch Garver in the unique position of having a potential bounce-back year with Seattle. All signs are pointing to that being the case.
Need a MASSIVE Mitch Garver bounce back in 2025
Loving what’s he doing for the Mariners in Spring Training, just need it to translate to the regular season
pic.twitter.com/vxCp2br83f
— EastCoastM’s
(@EastCoastMs_) March 10, 2025
Before he was hit in the hand by a pitch, Garver was torching up spring training. He was slashing .444/.476/.944 with three home runs and six RBI in eight games. Now, obviously, one should take spring training numbers with a grain of salt. But confidence does wonders for a player’s performance.
It was announced Wednesday after some X-rays that Garver thankfully was able to avoid any serious injury on his hand. If he can return to somewhat similar production, he’ll be a formidable force sandwiched between Rodríguez, Raleigh, and Randy Arozarena in the Mariners lineup.
Photo Credit: © Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
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