MLB insider confirms Mariners were forced to settle in backup catcher search

Finding a backup catcher shouldn't be a priority for any team in any offseason, especially when the starter is someone as impressive and durable as Cal Raleigh. Still, the Mariners needed someone else on the depth chart and ended up with Andrew Knizner, who they signed to a one-year, $1 million deal.

As a second-stringer for his entire big league career, he's hardly someone to get excited about. Over his 975 plate appearances, he has just a 68 wRC+ and hasn't made more than 100 plate appearances since 2023. Defensively, he's worse than average and has accumulated -21 Defensive Runs Saved over nearly 2,300 innings behind the dish. What makes the situation even more disappointing is the fact that the Mariners could've had a far more viable depth option.

Seattle was allegedly interested in signing free agent Danny Jansen to play behind Cal Raleigh

According to a recent report by Ken Rosenthal for The Athletic, the Mariners were actually interested in Danny Jansen, who ultimately signed a two-year, $14.5 million contract with the Rangers. One of the primary concerns was whether Jansen would get enough playing time to be happy, a problem the organization won't have with Knizner.

Jansen was solid in 2025, posting a 103 wRC+ with six Defensive Runs Saved and was a meaningful component of the Brewers' success after joining Milwaukee at the trade deadline. In Texas, he'll likely get close to a 50/50 split with Kyle Higashioka in terms of playing time whereas in Seattle, the majority of his time on the field would be spent as a designated hitter, similar to Mitch Garver.

The Mariners have already made it clear that whoever did end up behind Raleigh on the depth chart wouldn't get much playing time. Along with the fact that they were still in pursuit of a Jorge Polanco reunion at the time, the amount they were willing to pay to fill the position was likely far lower than the $14.5 million Jansen ended up receiving from Texas. Even though he would add more value as someone who would also be a viable designated hitter, the Mariners already have Dominic Canzone and Luke Raley to hold down the fort.

Knizner's statistical history suggests he won't be much better than a replacement-level player but for now, that's all he really needs to be. General manager Justin Hollander emphasized the importance of catching depth for the organization and a candidate that could debut in 2026 is Luke Stevenson, the Mariners' 35th overall selection in 2025.

The decision to sign Andrew Knizner in free agency is hardly a Christmas miracle, but he's far from a lump of coal. Instead, he's more like a stocking stuffer that will hold you over until the real gift arrives. Cal Raleigh has already shown us that he can be great, it makes sense that his backup just needs to be good enough.