Former Twin Mitch Garver Announces Retirement

[Cody Christie]

Mitch Garver has decided to call it a career after parts of 10 seasons in Major League Baseball. The former Minnesota Twins catcher spent time with the Twins, Texas Rangers, and Seattle Mariners, finishing his career with 110 home runs and a reputation as an offensive threat when healthy. His retirement closes the book on a career that included an award-winning season in Minnesota and a World Series championship in Texas.

The Twins selected Garver in the ninth round of the 2013 MLB Draft out of the University of New Mexico. He consistently hit well in the minor leagues, but questions surrounded his ability to handle the defensive responsibilities of catching at the major league level. By the end of 2016, Minnesota had seen enough potential to add him to its 40-man roster and protect him from the Rule 5 Draft.

Garver debuted with the Twins in 2017 but struggled to produce at the plate. He hit .196/.288/.348 without a home run in 52 plate appearances. The following season offered a glimpse of what was to come, as he launched seven home runs and posted a .268/.335/.414 slash line.

Garver's breakout season arrived in 2019. As part of Minnesota's famous Bomba Squad, he hit 31 home runs in just 93 games and 359 plate appearances. His .273/.365/.630 line was good for a 155 wRC+, meaning he produced offensively at a rate 55% better than league average. He also earned a Silver Slugger Award, recognizing him as one of the American League's top offensive catchers.

The 2019 season is remembered for its historic home run totals and the baseball used throughout the league. Still, Garver's production was impressive regardless of the environment. Catchers rarely deliver the same offensive output as players at other positions, making his power particularly valuable to Minnesota's lineup.

Unfortunately, staying on the field became a recurring challenge. An intercostal strain limited Garver to 23 games during the shortened 2020 season, and he struggled offensively when available. Injuries again restricted his playing time in 2021, but he remained productive, hitting 13 home runs with a .256/.358/.517 slash line and a 139 wRC+ in 243 plate appearances.

The emergence of Ryan Jeffers gave Minnesota another catching option and made Garver expendable before the 2022 season. The Twins traded him to Texas in exchange for Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Ronny Henriquez. The following day, Minnesota sent Kiner-Falefa, Josh Donaldson, and Ben Rortvedt to the New York Yankees for Gary Sánchez and Gio Urshela.

Garver's time in Texas provided another career highlight. He became part of the Rangers' 2023 World Series championship team, hitting .270/.370/.500 in 87 games during the regular season. He then signed a two-year, $24 million contract with Seattle before the 2024 season, but his offensive production declined. The Mariners released him in August 2026, and he later signed a minor league contract with the Yankees without appearing in another major league game.

Garver finishes his career with a .229/.325/.432 slash line and 110 home runs. He collected 497 hits, scored 301 runs, and drove in 324. FanGraphs credited him with eight wins above replacement, while Baseball-Reference lists approximately 10.0 WAR. His career earnings totaled just under $35 million.

Garver's career never followed a straight path. Injuries interrupted promising seasons, and his defensive limitations sometimes complicated his role. However, his offensive peak with the Twins remains memorable, particularly during the historic 2019 campaign. He leaves the game with a Silver Slugger Award, a World Series ring, and a place in the story of one of Minnesota's most entertaining teams.

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[jmlease1]

Congrats to Garver on his retirement. Shame he couldn't stay healthy after really establishing himself as a dangerous hitter, but that's the way it goes, especially with catchers.

Some good seasons, some big moments, and he leaves MLB after making life-changing money and winning a title. Seemed like a good dude.