NASHVILLE — The Texas Rangers have several free-agent players who made important contributions to their World Series title.
One of those players is catcher and designated hitter Mitch Garver , who came up huge for the Rangers, not only while filling in when Jonah Heim was injured, but as a DH in the postseason.
Garver, who turns 33 next month, is beloved by his teammates and the coaching staff and would be welcomed back with open arms. In fact, it seems Garver would love to return to Arlington. He recently responded to a fan on social media wishing him well with his next team by suggesting he might not leave Arlington.
"Mitch, obviously, played a very impactful role for us," Rangers general manager Chris Young said at the MLB Winter Meetings at the Gaylord Opryland Resort. "It was impressive how well he played during the time Jonah got hurt and through the playoffs."
Young says the club has remained in touch with Garver's agent, as they have with nearly all of the club's free agents.
"There are a number of things to work through and consider, especially with our young guys, and getting everybody at-bats moving forward," he said. "But Mitch is a really talented player, and we’ll stay engaged."
Manager Bruce Bochy, a former catcher, would love to have Garver back in the fold.
"That's not going to be easy to replace," Bochy said. "Not that [Garver returning] can't happen."
Garver hit .270 with 19 home runs, 11 doubles, and 50 RBI in 87 games in 2023. In 14 postseason games as the DH, Garver hit .226 with three homers, two doubles and 14 RBI, including a grand slam against the Baltimore Orioles in Game 1 of the ALDS.
Garver, however, is unlikely to see much time behind the plate with All-Star Jonah Heim on the roster. The club would want to make use of Garver as a DH as much as a backup to Heim in 2024. He led that team with 57 games as DH, ahead of fellow free agent Robbie Grossman and Ezequiel Duran, who had 22 and 21 games at DH.
"We want to make sure we have ample backup options to protect [Heim], to give him blows when necessary, and provide a high level of performance to help us win," Young said.
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