Seattle Mariners Announce Contract Decisions: Andrés Muñoz, Mitch Garver

The Seattle Mariners didn’t waste any time at the start of the offseason. They exercised their club option on dominant reliever Andrés Muñoz and parted ways with veteran catcher Mitch Garver.

With a few contract decisions still hanging, these moves show the franchise wants to fine-tune its roster for a competitive 2025. Fans are already chatting about how these changes might shake up the team’s pitching strength and batting depth.

Seattle Locks Up Elite Closer Andrés Muñoz

The Mariners made a predictable but important move by keeping late-inning specialist Andrés Muñoz. The 25-year-old righty just wrapped up his second straight All-Star season and a year that really put him on the map.

Muñoz posted a sharp 1.73 ERA, matched his career-high with 64 appearances, and landed third in all of Major League Baseball with a solid 38 saves.

By picking up his 2025 club option, the Mariners keep their closer for another year at $6 million. He could earn up to $1 million more in bonuses tied to games finished.

This option comes from his four-year, $7.5 million extension signed back in 2021. Seattle looks pretty smart now for locking up a top bullpen arm at a bargain price.

Contract Details and Future Options

Muñoz’s deal has more layers, too. The contract includes club options worth $8 million in 2027 and $10 million in 2028.

That gives the Mariners some flexibility and cost control over one of baseball’s steadiest ninth-inning guys.

Mitch Garver’s Departure Opens Catcher Position Questions

Muñoz’s return seemed likely, but letting go of Mitch Garver opens up real questions about the Mariners’ catching depth. Garver’s time with the team was brief, and he’ll get a $1 million buyout as he heads to free agency.

Seattle might be looking at other options behind the plate, whether that means promoting from within or shopping the free-agent market.

The Catching Market and Mariners’ Needs

Garver’s exit leaves a hole at catcher, which is a key spot both defensively and offensively. The front office will need to weigh a few things before picking a replacement:

• Defensive reliability and pitch framing skills
• Consistency in offensive production
• Durability over a 162-game season
• Leadership in guiding a talented pitching staff

There are some veteran catchers available this winter. Seattle has a shot to fill this gap quickly if they want to keep roster uncertainty low.

Other Pending Decisions and Roster Status

One contract situation still out there is with infielder Jorge Polanco. He holds a $6 million player option for 2026, with a decision deadline set for Thursday.

The Mariners’ 40-man roster now stands at 34 players. That leaves six open spots, which could matter as free agency and trade talks heat up.

Impact on the 2025 Season Outlook

Keeping Muñoz gives the Mariners one of the best closers in baseball. He’ll anchor their bullpen again, which should give fans some confidence.

On the other hand, Garver’s exit opens a door. Maybe a younger, more flexible catcher steps up, or maybe the team brings in a solid veteran who fits the bill.

The Mariners have shown they’ll make bold moves. They’re always trying to balance the budget with what happens on the field.

With the offseason heating up, fans can expect some surprises. There’ll probably be a mix of signings, trades, and maybe a few internal promotions—anything to get Seattle beyond just making the playoffs and actually chasing a World Series.

Offseason 2025 has kicked off in Seattle. If these early moves say anything, it’s that this winter could get interesting, with lots of calculated risks and competitive roster tweaks.

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