Mariners considering signing World Series champ away from AL West rival
The Seattle Mariners reportedly have interest in a veteran who has been playing for one of their divisional rivals.
MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reported on Thursday that the Mariners are considering signing Mitch Garver.
Garver has spent the last two seasons with the Texas Rangers. He batted .270 with 11 doubles, 19 home runs and an .870 OPS in 87 games last season. His biggest offensive season came in 2019 with the Minnesota Twins when he smacked 31 home runs in 93 games and posted a .995 OPS.
Garver has spent time playing catcher and first base, and he also serves as a designated hitter. The 32-year-old earned $3.9 million in 2023.
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Texas Rangers Could Pursue Cy Young Winner For 2024 Second Half
When it comes to pitcher Clayton Kershaw, here we go again.
The long-time Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher and Dallas native won’t pitch until later this year after shoulder surgery. But it isn’t limiting the possibility that Kershaw could return to the Dallas area in 2024 as a Rangers starter.
The Athletic reported on Friday that the uncertainty over the Rangers’ local television deal may limit their ability to re-sign Jordan Montgomery. If so, the Rangers are developing contingencies.
One of those contingencies could be Kershaw, the three-time Cy Young winner who has only pitched for the Dodgers but has said on multiple occasions that the only other team he would consider pitching for would be the Texas Rangers.
He is not under contract for 2024, the result of his November surgery to repair the glenohumeral ligaments and capsule. He said on social media that he hopes to return at some point next summer.
So how is Kershaw a contingency without a contract? The Athletic spoke to Major League sources that had been briefed on the Rangers’ thinking. One plan could be to sign Kershaw to a reduced contract — assuming Kershaw wants to sign with the Rangers — and wait on both him and Jacob deGrom to return from injury. deGrom is under contract the next
