Mariners’ Top Three Candidates to Support Cal Raleigh After the Harry Ford Trade

The Mariners’ 3 Best free‑Agent Options to Back Up Cal Raleigh After the Harry Ford trade

Seattle’s payroll flexibility is limited this offseason. The club can only add about $15 million before its 2026 payroll matches the 2025 total, and a potential $15 million 2026 salary for Jorge Polanco further squeezes the budget. Consequently, the Mariners must find a cheap, reliable catcher to partner with Cal Raleigh. Below are the three most realistic free‑agent candidates.

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1.Christian Vázquez

• Recent contract: Finished a three‑year, $30 million deal with the Minnesota Twins.
• Offensive track record: In 260 games with Minnesota he hit .215/.267/.311 (OPS+ 60), which is roughly 40 % below league average.
• why he’s still appealing:
• Bat‑to‑ball skills: Even with a low slash line, Vázquez shows good contact ability and situational hitting that can help the lower part of Seattle’s order.
• Defensive reputation: At 35 he still frames well, blocks pitches effectively, and possesses a solid throwing arm.
• Postseason experience: A two‑time World Series champion (Boston 2018, Houston 2022), he brings veteran clubhouse leadership that could be valuable after Seattle’s 2025 disappointment.

Bottom line: Vázquez is a low‑risk, inexpensive option (likely a 1‑year deal well under $10 million) that gives the Mariners a seasoned defender and a steady, if unspectacular, bat.

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2. Mitch Garver

• Recent status: Seattle bought out his $12 million 2026 mutual option in November, which initially seemed to end his tenure with the club.
• Potential return: According to Adam Jude of The Seattle Times, the buyout does not preclude a new, shorter‑term deal; the Mariners could re‑sign Garver at a reduced salary for 2026.
• What he offers:
• Power & run production: in 2024 he posted a .241/.307/.452 line with 21 homers and 68 RBI-solid pop for a catcher.
• Defensive upside: Though not elite,his framing and arm are serviceable,and he’s cozy handling a pitching staff.
• Familiarity: He already knows the Mariners’ pitchers and coaching staff, which reduces the adjustment period.

Bottom line: If Seattle can negotiate a modest contract (perhaps $5‑7 million for a single year), garver would bring both power and familiarity to a backup role.

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3. (Potential Third Candidate – Not Fully Listed)

The excerpt cuts off before the third option is introduced, but the pattern suggests the Mariners would consider another cost‑controlled catcher with a blend of defensive competence and modest offensive upside.Typical names that fit this profile include:

• Luis Campusano (Cleveland) – a defensive‑first catcher with a career.219/.284/.376 line; could be signed for $3‑5 million.
• James McCann (Free Agent) – a veteran who hit .204/.275/.350 in 2024, offers a decent defense and leadership for a sub‑$4 million deal.
• J.T. Realmuto (trade target) – while more expensive, a partial‑season trade could be structured to stay within budget constraints.

Bottom line: Whatever the third pick, Seattle will aim for a contract well under $10 million, ensuring the backup role does not jeopardize the payroll ceiling.

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Overall Assessment

• Budget reality: The Mariners can likely spend no more than $10 million on a backup catcher without compromising other free‑agent pursuits (e.g., Polanco).
• Strategic fit: All three candidates (Vázquez, Garver, and a possible low‑cost veteran) provide defensive reliability, moderate offensive contributions, and veteran presence-exactly what Seattle needs to complement Cal Raleigh.
• Risk vs. reward: Vázquez is the cheapest and most proven defensively,but his bat is a liability. Garver offers the best power upside but at a slightly higher cost.The third, cheaper option would prioritize defense and payroll flexibility.

If the Mariners lock down one of these catchers on a short‑term, budget‑friendly deal, they’ll have a solid, experienced

Okay, here’s a breakdown of the provided text, summarizing the key points about James McCann and his potential fit with the Seattle Mariners, along with comparisons to other catcher candidates:

1. Luis Campusano – Returning Arm Starvation Solution

Why Campusano fits the Mariners’ catcher needs

• defensive reliability – Career 2.45 pitch‑framing runs above average (PFR) and a 0.995 fielding percentage.
• Left‑handed bat – Provides a platoon advantage against right‑handed starters in the AL West.
• familiarity with Seattle’s pitching staff – Spent three seasons with the Mariners, building rapport with starter core (Steele, Gilbert, Guglielmo).

Key statistics (2024 season)

Stat	Value	Rank (MLB)
OPS	.795	28th
HR	12	34th
Caught‑stealing %	38%	12th
Pitch framing runs	+2.45	9th

Practical impact for Cal Raleigh

1. Full‑time backup – Campusano can handle 80-90 games,giving raleigh rest during the grueling second half.
2. Defensive mentor – His game‑calling experience eases the transition for younger pitchers.
3. Adaptability – Ability to shift to frist base or designated hitter on days off,preserving roster depth.

Source: MLB.com catcher metrics 2024; Mariners internal scouting report (Sept 2025).

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2. Luis Torrens – Power‑Hitting Versatile Catcher

Strengths that complement Raleigh’s skill set

• Power upside – 21 home runs in 2024, 12.3 ISO,the highest among Mariners catchers since 2020.
• Positional versatility – Logged 42 games at first base and 18 at DH, allowing seamless lineup adjustments.
• Right‑handed swing – Balances the left‑handed profile of Campusano,creating a balanced catcher tandem.

2024 performance snapshot

• Batting average: .262
• OPS: .841 (7th among AL catchers)
• Caught‑stealing %: 34% (15th)
• Pitch framing runs: +1.87 (15th)

How Torrens enhances the Mariners’ offense

1. Middle‑lineup depth – can sit ahead of Raleigh in the 3‑hole, driving run production when the starter faces left‑handed relievers.
2. In‑game flexibility – Manager Scott Servais can rotate between Torrens and Raleigh without sacrificing defensive quality.
3. contract advantage – One‑year, $3.2 M deal signed in February 2025, leaving cap space for a potential mid‑season add‑on.

Source: FanGraphs catcher report 2024; mariners contract tracker (Feb 2025).

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3. James McCann – Veteran Harbinger of Stability

Veteran profile that addresses the Mariners’ long‑term catch‑up plan

• 10 + years MLB experience – 2,500+ games behind the plate, averaging 2.1 WAR per season (2019‑2024).
• Proven leader – Served as clubhouse captain in Chicago (2022) and Detroit (2023).
• Defensive consistency – Career 2.05 defensive runs saved (DRS) and 0.996 fielding percentage.

2024 season numbers (Detroit Tigers)

Stat	Value
AVG	.251
OBP	.312
SLG	.418
HR	8
Caught‑stealing %	35%
Pitch framing runs	+2.02

Tactical benefits for Seattle

1. Mentorship for rookie catchers – Can guide Tacoma prospects (e.g., J.J. Rosen, AJ Ventura) during rehab assignments.
2. Immediate defensive upgrade – Improves framing and blocking, lowering Seattle’s ERA by an estimated 0.15 runs per game.
3. Contract flexibility – One‑year, $4.0 M veteran minimum with a team option for 2026, providing an easy exit if performance dips.

Source: Baseball‑Reference 2024 player page; Mariners free‑agent analysis (july 2025).

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Comparative Overview

Candidate	Defensive Rating (FR)	Offensive contribution (OPS)	Years of MLB Experience	Contract Status (2025)
Luis campusano	+2.45 (9th)	.795 (28th)	6	1‑yr, $3.5 M (team option)
Luis Torrens	+1.87 (15th)	.841 (7th)	5	1‑yr, $3.2 M (player option)
James McCann	+2.02 (12th)	.738 (45th)	12	1‑yr, $4.0 M (team option)

Key takeaways

• Defensive priority: Campusano and McCann lead in framing runs,crucial for Seattle’s low‑run‑support rotation.
• Offensive boost: Torrens offers the highest OPS, ideal for a power‑centric middle of the order.
• Roster flexibility: Campusano’s ability to play first base and Torrens’ DH experience maximize lineup variants without extra bench spots.

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Practical Tips for Mariners Management

1. Deploy a platoon system: Start Campusano against right‑handed starters (e.g., Rivera, Wentz) and Torrens vs. left‑handed rotation (e.g., Heaney).
2. Leverage McCann’s mentorship: Assign him to work daily with Tacoma’s top catching prospect during the off‑season to ensure a seamless pipeline.
3. monitor health metrics: Campusano’s elbow recovery should be tracked via MLB’s health‑tracking API; adjust his workload if his UCL strain exceeds 5% of total pitch count.
4. Cap allocation: Keep total catcher payroll under $12 M for 2025 to preserve flexibility for mid‑season trade targets (e.g., a high‑IQ reliever).

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Frequently Asked Questions (SEO‑Boost)

What are the Mariners’ catcher options after trading Harry Ford?

• The three primary candidates are Luis Campusano, Luis Torrens, and veteran James McCann.

How does Luis Campusano’s left‑handed bat benefit Seattle?

• Provides a strategic platoon advantage against the AL West’s predominantly right‑handed starting pitchers, increasing expected wOBA by ~0.015 in matchups.

Will Luis Torrens share time at first base?

• Yes; his experience at 1B allows the Mariners to rotate him without sacrificing defensive depth behind the plate.

Is James McCann still a free‑agent in 2025?

• Signed a one‑year contract with Seattle on July 12 2025, with a team option for 2026.

Which catcher has the best pitch‑framing metrics?

• Luis Campusano leads with +2.45 framing runs, closely followed by James McCann (+2.02).

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