Mariners Working On Deal For Catcher Andrew Knizner

The Seattle Mariners are about to solve a big problem behind the plate. They’re close to signing veteran free-agent catcher Andrew Knizner.

Knizner looks set to back up Cal Raleigh, who’s locked in as the starter. He brings seven years of MLB experience, decent enough offense, and some improved defense to a Mariners team that really needs a second catcher on the 40-man roster.

Mariners Zero In on Andrew Knizner as Cal Raleigh’s Backup

All offseason, the Mariners knew they had to reinforce their catching group. Mitch Garver left in free agency, and top prospect Harry Ford got traded away.

Suddenly, there was no clear No. 2 catcher anywhere in the system. That makes this near-agreement with Andrew Knizner feel both logical and honestly, a bit overdue.

Knizner turns 31 in February and fits the mold of a classic veteran backup. He knows the league, has worked behind star catchers before, and can handle a pitching staff while giving the starter a break.

Knizner’s 2025 Journey: From Triple-A to San Francisco

Knizner’s 2025 season took him all over the map. He started the year in Triple-A with the Nationals, never got a shot in the big leagues, and the team released him in mid-May.

That exit actually opened a door for him. Soon after, he signed a minor league deal with the Giants.

His experience and steady play earned him a promotion. He eventually joined the MLB roster and settled in as the primary backup to defensive standout and two-time Gold Glove winner Patrick Bailey.

Limited Playing Time in San Francisco, Modest Production

Stuck behind Bailey, Knizner didn’t see much action. Still, he played enough to remind teams he can handle a reserve role just fine.

The Mariners don’t need fireworks from their backup. They want run prevention and a steady glove, so Knizner’s small sample size in San Francisco still matters to them.

2025 Offensive Line with the Giants

With the Giants, Knizner played in 32 games and started 28 behind the plate. He stepped up to bat 88 times and hit .221/.299/.299 with one home run.

Those numbers won’t make headlines, but for a backup catcher, it’s about what you expect—some contact, a little pop, and not embarrassing yourself at the plate.

Across seven years in the majors with the Cardinals, Rangers, and Giants, Knizner has a career line of .211/.281/.316 in almost 1,000 plate appearances. No one’s signing him for his bat, and everyone knows it.

Defensive Profile: Improvements and Persistent Weaknesses

Knizner’s worked hardest to get better on defense. These days, backup catchers get judged on framing, game-calling, and run prevention more than ever.

That’s a big part of why Seattle’s interested. Early with St. Louis, his pitch framing was below average, but he’s nudged it up to about league-average now. That’s not nothing, especially for a guy fighting to keep a job in the majors.

Blocking, Arm, and Control of the Running Game

Not every part of Knizner’s defense has improved. His blocking is still a weak spot, and his arm is just so-so.

It shows up in the numbers—he’s thrown out only 16.4% of baserunners over the last four seasons. That’s not great, but he’s also caught over 2,200 innings in the big leagues.

He knows how to prep for lineups, manage pitchers, and grind through a season. Sometimes, that’s what matters most to teams trying to win.

Why the Giants Moved On—and Why the Mariners Are Interested

The Giants didn’t offer Knizner a contract for his last arbitration year. It wasn’t really about his ability—they just wanted rookie Jesus Rodriguez to get a shot at the backup job. Carrying an arbitration-eligible veteran didn’t fit their plan.

Seattle looks at it differently. The Mariners want to win now, and they lean on pitching. They can’t afford instability behind the plate.

Filling a Glaring Hole on the Mariners’ 40-Man Roster

After Mitch Garver left and the club traded Harry Ford, the Mariners had a real problem—no second catcher on the 40-man roster. That’s just not sustainable for a team that plans to rely on its pitching staff.

If Knizner’s deal ends up being a major league contract, he’ll slide in as the No. 2 behind Cal Raleigh. Here’s what he’d be asked to do:

What Knizner Brings to Seattle’s Clubhouse and Field

Knizner isn’t really a game-changer for Seattle, and honestly, that’s fine. Sometimes you just need a steady hand behind the plate—someone who keeps things from unraveling if injuries or exhaustion start piling up.

If this deal actually goes through, the Mariners get exactly what they’ve been looking for. Knizner’s a veteran catcher who knows his place, backs up Cal Raleigh, and lets Scott Servais breathe a little easier as Opening Day gets closer.

 
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