Mariners sensational ace agree to contract with World Series-winning team for playing time.
The Seattle Mariners and their fans received quite a Christmas gift on Sunday.
The Mariners have agreed to a contract with free agent catcher Mitch Garver, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. Garver agreed to sign with Seattle for two years and $24 million.
The Mariners had been linked to Garver in early December, but nothing came of it until Sunday. He hit .270 with 19 home runs in 87 games for the Texas Rangers in 2023, playing an important role for a team that ultimately went on to win the World Series. The veteran catcher can also play first base and DH, giving Seattle some lineup flexibility.
they went 88-74 last season, the Mariners watched two AL West rivals face off in the ALCS and one win the World Serie. They have also received criticism from fans — and even one of their players — for not spending enough money. That criticism was exacerbated when they started the offseason with a big cost-cutting move. Adding Garver might help quiet some of those critics.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported this week that the Jays have had discussions with the San Diego Padres about a potential trade for infielder Jake Cronenworth. The 29-year-old Cronenworth is a buy-low candidate after hitting .229 with a .689 OPS last season.
San Diego has already traded away Juan Soto and Trent Grisham and allowed players like Michael Wacha and Seth Lugo to walk in free agency. While they did just sign Japanese reliever Yuki Matsui to a $28 million deal, the Padres would still like to shed payroll. Trading away Cronenworth, who is about to begin a new seven-year, $80 million contract, would be another major way to accomplish that.
Rosenthal does note that San Diego might be reluctant to deal another left-handed hitter after already trading both Soto and Grisham to the New York Yankees. But Toronto needs another such bat (they are already known to be after another lefty slugger) and could make a very competitive offer for the two-time All-Star Cronenworth.
Joe Kelly’s wife Ashley did everything she could to help the Los Angeles Dodgers land Shohei Ohtani, and her efforts were clearly appreciated.
Kelly was re-acquired by the Dodgers in a trade with the Chicago White Sox in July. The reliever pitched for the Dodgers from 2019-2021 and is back with the team for the second time. Kelly previously wore jersey No. 17, but he gave the number up for Ohtani.
While Ohtani was still a free agent, Ashley launched a social media campaigni which she called “#Ohtake17.” The idea was to convince Ohtani sign with the Dodgers and assure the two-way superstar that he could have Joe’s jersey number if and when he did.
Ohtani came up with an awesome way to thank Mrs. Kelly. The $700 million man arranged for a Porsche to be delivered to the Kelly residence on Saturday. Joe filmed Ashley when she was informed that Ohtani had gifted her the sports car.
