The Seattle Mariners are making a bold move to shore up their catching depth, and it’s sparking conversations across the baseball world. According to Chris Cotillo of MassLive, the team is in active discussions with free agent catcher Andrew Knizner about a potential deal. If they ink a major league contract, Knizner would step into the role of backup catcher behind the formidable Cal Raleigh. 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. Released in mid-May, he quickly signed a minor league deal with the Giants and earned a spot on their MLB roster just weeks later. However, playing behind two-time Gold Glove winner Patrick Bailey limited his opportunities. Knizner did get a brief chance to shine as the starting catcher when Bailey was sidelined with a neck strain, but it wasn’t enough to secure his future in San Francisco.
At 30 (turning 31 in February), Knizner has logged parts of seven MLB seasons with the Cardinals, Rangers, and Giants. His career batting line sits at .211/.281/.316 across nearly 1,000 plate appearances, though he’s shown more promise in Triple-A with a .292/.387/.443 slash line. Defensively, his early-career pitch framing metrics weren’t impressive, but he’s improved to near-average levels in recent years. That said, his blocking skills and arm strength remain middling, with a below-average 16.4% caught-stealing rate over the past four seasons.
The Giants opted not to tender Knizner a contract for his final arbitration year, despite MLBTR’s Matt Swartz projecting a modest $1.3MM salary. Instead, they’re giving rookie Jesus Rodriguez a shot to claim the backup role. Meanwhile, the Mariners find themselves in need of catching depth after Mitch Garver hit free agency and rookie Harry Ford was traded for reliever Jose A. Ferrer. Seattle’s 40-man roster currently lacks a second catcher, making Knizner an appealing option.
But here’s where it gets controversial: While Knizner’s experience makes him a safe bet for the backup role, his defensive limitations and underwhelming offensive numbers raise questions about his long-term value. Is he truly the best fit for the Mariners, or should they invest more resources in finding a stronger option? And this is the part most people miss: With Raleigh set to start nearly every day, the backup catcher’s role is less about star power and more about reliability. Knizner’s five-plus years of MLB service ensure he can’t be sent to the minors without his consent, giving him a leg up in camp. Yet, the Mariners will likely continue scouring waivers and minor league free agency for additional depth.
As the Mariners navigate this decision, one thing is clear: their catching situation is far from settled. What do you think? Is Knizner the right choice, or should Seattle aim higher? Let us know in the comments—this debate is just heating up!
