The Seattle Mariners offense has been the club’s most disappointing part in 2024 and the main culprit in missing the playoffs for the 22nd time in 23 years.

A big reason the Mariners offense was lackluster was the struggling seasons of several players, including new acquisitions. One of those players was backup catcher Mitch Garver.

Garver signed a two-year, $23 million contract with a $12 million mutual option for 2026. Seattle a year after hitting .270 with 19 homers and 50 RBIs and helping lead the Mariners’ American League West rivals, the Texas Rangers, to a World Series title.

In his first year with Seattle in 2024, Garver hit .172 with 15 home runs and 51 RBIs.

Garver, by all accounts, had a bad year. But he will likely return to the team in 2025 unless the Mariners find a trade partner. They have another replacement for starting wide receiver Cal Raleigh waiting in the wings along with prospects Harry Ford.

But despite a disappointing 2024, at least one Mariners analyst/fan thinks Garver should have a bounce-back season in 2025.

Popular Twitter/YouTube account East Coast M’s (EastCoastMs_ on “X”) pointed out some of Garver’s adjustments since the start of the season compared to the end of a YouTube video. And he made a compelling case for a resurgence of the eighth-year slugger in 2025.

East Coast M’s noted Garver’s improvement in his 98 games played before hiring coach Edgar Martinez, compared to the next 16 games. Before Martinez was named hitting coach, Garver hit .165 with 12 home runs and had a -0.5 WAR. Over the next 16 games, Garver hit .212 with three home runs and a 0.1 WAR. His strikeout rate also dropped by 3.3%.

These numbers do not represent massive improvements and this is a small sample. But it’s a good sign that Garver is able to turn things around.

East Coast M’s also highlighted some mechanical adjustments from Garver that could lead the former Ranger and Minnesota Twin to continue this upward trajectory.

Over Garver’s last 16 games, his hand location was lower, which allowed for a faster swing and more solid contact.

East Coast M’s also pointed out that Garver also struggled in his first year at Texas. Garver hit just .207 with 10 homers and 27 RBIs in 2022. In his first year with Minnesota in 2017, he hit .196 with no homers and three RBIs.

Seattle still needs to fill its needed positions on the field this offseason. This is a top priority. But if Garver can bounce back and regain some semblance of his 2023 form, that would be a big boost for the Mariners.

FORMER MARINERS STARTER GIVES UP THE GREAT CHEMEAU IN THE WORLD SERIES: A former Seattle Mariners starter was hit with defeat after giving up a grand slam in Game 1 of the World Series on Friday. CLICK HERE

MARINERS FANS REACT TO STRANGELY SIMILAR HOME RUN: Nestor Cortes gave up a grand slam to Freddie Freeman in Game 1 of the World Series on Friday, reminding Seattle Mariners fans of a similar 2022 image and scenario. CLICK HERE

ANALYSIS: CHANCES THAT THE BEST MARINERS WILL BE CALLED IN 2025: The Seattle Mariners have arguably the best farm system in baseball; But there may not be many opportunities for top prospects to make an impact on the team in 2025. CLICK HERE

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