The Mariners made a low-key but notable roster move, claiming catcher Willie MacIver off waivers from the Blue Jays and shipping him straight to Triple-A Tacoma. Seattle had open spots on its 40-man roster, so the move didn't require cutting anyone loose.
MacIver, 29, has bounced around the league all year. The Athletics designated him for assignment back in November 2025, the Rangers claimed him and then DFA'd him in April, and Toronto scooped him up for cash before he cleared waivers again this week. That's 3 organizations in a matter of months for a guy who's still fighting to stick.
The track record at the big league level isn't pretty. MacIver hit just.186/.252/.324 in 33 games with Oakland last season. But the Triple-A numbers tell a different story — a career.286/.376/.470 line, and a.253/.342/.424 mark with 8 homers and 50 RBI in 74 games this season split between the Blue Jays' and Rangers' farm systems.
For Seattle, this is pure catching depth, not a headline addition. MacIver slots in behind Cal Raleigh and Jhonny Pereda, who was just called up after the Mariners released Mitch Garver. With 2 minor league option years still left on his ledger, MacIver can sit in Tacoma and keep hitting until the phone rings again.
It's not a splashy move, but it's the kind of churn every contender does down the stretch — stockpile bodies who can catch a bullpen game in a pinch. Whether MacIver ever gets that call with the Mariners is another question entirely.