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Key part of Rangers' 2023 World Series team retires after 10 MLB seasons

Congrats on a great career!
ByJackson Kruse
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Nov 1, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Texas Rangers designated hitter Mitch Garver celebrates with the trophy after defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks in game five of the 2023 World Series at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Texas Rangers designated hitter Mitch Garver celebrates with the trophy after defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks in game five of the 2023 World Series at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

Former Texas Rangers catcher Mitch Garver has retired after 10 MLB seasons, according to Ted Schwerzler of minnesotasportsfan.com. Garver played a key role on the Rangers' 2023 World Series team, posting 2.2 fWAR and a .270/.370/.500 (142 wRC+) slash line with 19 home runs and 50 RBI over 87 regular-season games.

Garver had a huge September with the Rangers in 2023, boasting an .858 OPS. The Rangers made the playoffs by just two games, making Garver's strong final month of the regular season crucial.

Mitch Garver had several clutch moments for the Rangers during the 2023 World Series run

Garver slashed .226/.317/.434 with three home runs, two doubles, and 14 RBI in 60 plate appearances during the 2023 postseason. He had several big moments, including a grand slam in ALDS Game 2 against the Baltimore Orioles and a go-ahead single in World Series Game 5, the final game of the Fall Classic against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Rangers acquired Garver from the Minnesota Twins in March 2022 for utilityman Isiah Kiner-Falefa and right-hander Ronny Henriquez. Garver struggled in his first year with Texas, hitting .207/.298/.404 (100 wRC+). He appeared in only 54 games in 2022 due to several injuries.

Although Garver appeared in only 54 games for Texas in 2022 and just 87 in 2023, the trade was worth it. Without Garver, the Rangers may not have won the 2023 World Series or even made the postseason.

Garver first reached the big leagues in 2017 with the Twins. He played for Minnesota from 2017 through 2021 before the Twins traded him to Texas.

While Garver's biggest accomplishment, winning the World Series, came with the Rangers, he had a couple of great years with Minnesota. In 2019, the catcher hit .273/.365/.630 with 31 home runs, 16 doubles, and 67 RBI en route to winning the Silver Slugger Award for American League catchers.

Garver had another strong but injury-plagued season in 2021, hitting .256/.358/.517 with 13 home runs over 68 games for Minnesota before being dealt to Texas.

The Rangers let Garver walk in free agency after the 2023 season, which ended up being a smart decision. He signed a two-year, $24 million contract with the Seattle Mariners before the 2024 season. In his first year with Seattle, Garver posted -0.4 fWAR and an 89 wRC+. In his second year with the team, Garver posted 0.0 fWAR and an 86 wRC+.

Garver agreed to a minor-league deal with the Mariners before the 2026 season. He had another poor season at the plate, with an 82 wRC+ over 50 games, which led the Mariners to designate him for assignment and then release him in August. The Yankees picked him up on a minor-league deal, but he never played an MLB game with New York.

Congrats on a good career, Garver! Rangers fans will be forever grateful for your 2023 performance.

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