The Seattle Mariners are making a bold move to fill a critical gap behind the plate, but is this the right choice? Just days after trading away their top catching prospect, Harry Ford, the Mariners are reportedly zeroing in on veteran catcher Andrew Knizner to back up star Cal Raleigh. But here’s where it gets controversial: is Knizner the best fit for a team with championship aspirations? Let’s dive in.
According to MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo, the Mariners have been in active discussions with Knizner, and The Seattle Times’ Adam Jude later confirmed that a deal is nearing completion. This comes as no surprise, given the Mariners’ sudden need for a reliable backup after trading Ford to the Washington Nationals for lefty reliever Jose Ferrer and with 2025 backup Mitch Garver hitting free agency.
Knizner, 30, brings a wealth of experience, having played 323 games over seven seasons with the San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, and Texas Rangers. Last season with the Giants, he posted a modest .221/.299/.299 slash line in 33 games after being called up from Triple-A. While his offensive numbers aren’t eye-popping—a career .211/.281/.316 line with 19 home runs and 90 RBIs—his best season came in 2023 with the Cardinals, where he hit .241 with a .712 OPS, 10 homers, and 31 RBIs in 70 games.
But here’s the part most people miss: Knizner’s real value might lie in his defensive skills. According to Baseball Savant, he’s been a solid pitch framer, contributing a combined plus-three framing runs over 68 games with the Giants and Rangers in the past two seasons. In a role backing up Raleigh—who nearly won the American League MVP after a historic 60-homer season—Knizner’s ability to handle the pitching staff could be invaluable.
However, the question remains: Is Knizner enough to solidify the Mariners’ catching depth? While he’s a proven veteran, his offensive output is limited, and the Mariners are clearly in win-now mode. Should they have aimed higher for a backup with more pop, or is Knizner’s defensive reliability the smarter play? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
For more Mariners offseason coverage, check out these insights:
- Salk breaks down the team’s needs after the winter meetings.
- Why Nolan Arenado could be a surprising trade target.
- A closer look at the Mariners’ Rule 5 draft moves.
- How Jose Ferrer could become a bullpen standout with a few tweaks.
- Jerry Dipoto’s recognition as Baseball America’s Executive of the Year.
Follow @ZacHereth for the latest updates on this developing story.
