The Seattle Mariners are making a move that could reshape their catching depth, but is it the right call? The team is reportedly in talks with free agent catcher Andrew Knizner, according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive. If a deal is struck, Knizner would likely slot in as the backup to starting catcher Cal Raleigh, a role that’s been left vacant after Mitch Garver hit free agency and rookie Harry Ford was traded to the Nationals. But here’s where it gets interesting: Knizner’s journey to this point has been anything but straightforward.
Knizner spent the latter half of the 2025 season with the San Francisco Giants, after starting the year in Triple-A with the Nationals and being released in May. He quickly signed a minor league deal with the Giants and earned a spot on their MLB roster, serving as the backup to two-time Gold Glove winner Patrick Bailey. While Bailey’s presence limited Knizner’s playing time, he did step in as the starting catcher for a brief stretch when Bailey was sidelined with a neck injury. At 30 (turning 31 in February), Knizner has appeared in parts of seven MLB seasons with the Cardinals, Rangers, and Giants, compiling a .211/.281/.316 batting line in nearly 1,000 career plate appearances. His Triple-A numbers, however, tell a different story: a robust .292/.387/.443 line across 583 plate appearances.
Defensively, Knizner’s early-career metrics weren’t impressive, particularly in pitch framing. Yet, over the past two seasons, he’s shown improvement in this area, though his blocking skills remain a question mark. His arm strength is average, and he’s thrown out just 16.4% of baserunners over the last four years—a below-average rate. Despite these stats, the Giants opted not to tender him a contract for his final arbitration year, potentially opening the door for rookie Jesus Rodriguez to compete for the backup role.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Is Knizner the best fit for the Mariners? While he brings experience and a proven ability to handle major league innings (over 2,200 in his career), his offensive and defensive numbers aren’t exactly stellar. The Mariners could instead explore waiver claims or minor league free agents to create competition for the backup spot. After all, Raleigh is expected to start nearly every day, either behind the plate or as the designated hitter, leaving limited opportunities for Knizner to make an impact.
And this is the part most people miss: Knizner’s five-plus years of MLB service time mean he can’t be sent to the minors without his consent. If he signs a big league deal, he’ll enter spring training as the presumptive #2 catcher. But should the Mariners invest in a player with his track record, or would they be better off taking a chance on a younger, potentially higher-upside option? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—is Knizner the right choice, or should the Mariners look elsewhere for catching depth?
