Mitch Haniger, Seattle Mariners.
If this sounds familiar, it’s only because Seattle Mariners fans have heard it since last season. No, it’s not about missing the playoffs. This is about saying goodbye to their longest-tenured player. In 2021, it was Kyle Seager. This season might very well be Mitch Haniger‘s last in the Emerald City.
His contract is up at the end of this season. When that date might be exactly is anyone’s guess. Hopefully, it won’t come until sometime in late October or early November.
If he goes, Haniger’s farewell won’t be nearly as emotional as Seager’s was. Seager was an institution in Seattle for over a decade.
However, it still will be a sad day. Haniger is a popular player with fans and teammates. He will also be a part of the Seattle Mariners team that broke the organization’s 21-year playoff drought.
Mitch is currently out with an injury. What a shocker. He’s been injured far too often during his time with the M’s.
Over the past four seasons, he’s played in only 59% of Seattle Mariners games. When Haniger plays 90 or more games in a season, he’s produced at an All-Star level. Well, at least an All-Star because every team needs someone.
Unfortunately, he’s had some serious injuries. And in some instances, freak ones too. The big injury in 2019 should happen to no man. These injuries have cost him long chunks of playing time. And, in some instances, an entire season.
Father time comes for everyone. As an athlete gets older, they don’t typically get healthier. Sometimes the best ability is availability.
The Seattle Mariners have some in-house options to replace Haniger in Taylor Trammell and Jarred Kelenic. There is the possibility that another minor leaguer, like Zack DeLoach, follows in the footsteps of Julio Rodriguez. But the odds of that happening in back-to-back seasons is remote.
Some Seattle Mariners fans are asking about Sam Haggerty. It’s unrealistic to think that Haggerty can maintain his level of success throughout a full season. He is an exciting player off the bench who can play well in short bursts.
Trammell and Kelenic have some similarities. They both got extended looks with the Seattle Mariners over the last two seasons. And both failed miserably.
In 2021, Trammell was sent down early and rarely heard from again. This year Kelenic followed in Trammell’s footsteps.
Trammell showed improvement this year, but there is still much left to be desired. Hopefully, Kelenic follows Trammell’s example again, except JK shows much more improvement and lives up to his five-tool capabilities. It remains to be seen if the organization still believes in him or if they are done with him.
Let’s not forget about 2020 American League Rookie of the Year Kyle Lewis. He’s another one with a checkered injury history but productive when healthy.
Unfortunately, KLew hasn’t been anywhere near himself since Astros pitcher Jose Urquidy hit him in the head on May 28. Maybe an offseason of rest will do the trick, and Lewis can compete for a starting outfield spot in 2023.
If the Seattle Mariners want to look outside their own club, there will be quality free agents this winter. Among the best options will be:
Judge is a pipe dream and won’t happen. Even so, Seattle Mariners General Manager Jerry Dipoto should make whatever deal with the baseball gods to get him to play in the Pacific Northwest full-time.
The Brandons also come with injury concerns, and both are having career seasons. Dipoto got bit three times this past offseason, getting players coming off career seasons (Robbie Ray, Jesse Winker, and Adam Frazier).
Myers is interesting, but he profiles slightly better as a first baseman than a corner outfielder. Next up are Gallo and Conforto. Starting in 2023, MLB will have new rules about using the shift.
Teams will need to be at least two fielders on each side of second base. This change could result in rising productivity from left-handed hitters.
Gallo is the crybaby, er poster child for scraping the shift. He’s a left-handed power bat who, when he’s not pulling the ball into the shift, strikes out a gigantic ton.
Conforto missed all of 2022 due to a shoulder injury. Interestingly, once he was reportedly healthy, the former Oregon State star didn’t sign with a team (although there was an offer from Houston). A Scott Boras client, he won’t come cheap. But in reality, he might have to accept a prove-it kind of deal.
Last year Dipoto said that fans shouldn’t be surprised if the Seattle Mariners were more active in trades than in free agency. He was a man of his word. Ray was the only free agent Seattle signed. However, he made two separate trades to bring in Frazier, Winker, and Eugenio Suarez.
It was also reported that Seattle is not a desirable destination for players. Seeing how this season turned out, I wonder how many players wish they could go back and redo their choice. Looking at you, Trevor Story.
Things are about to change. The Seattle Mariners are home to the most electric player in the game, and future 2022 Rookie of the Year, Rodriguez.
Hopefully, the 2022 season changes some players’ minds about playing in the Emerald City. As to which player or what team Dipoto could make a deal with, it’s too early to specifically tell.
Some possibilities are a deal with Arizona to bring back Ketel Marte. Trading with Miami with either Garrett Cooper or Jon Berti could work. Or maybe St. Louis’ Dylan Carlson would work as Dipoto’s newest reclamation project. Then there are San Diego and Tampa Bay, two of Dipoto’s favorite trade partners.
So, there are many possible options for the Seattle Mariners to pursue. That is if they don’t re-sign Haniger.
Ultimately, Dipoto will make the decision that he feels is best for the team. What that decision is exactly all depends on what magic Trader Jerry can use on his trade victim. Or what free agent says, “yeah, I’ll take a little less so I can play on a winner.
Maybe they see enough growth from Kelenic and Trammell to be encouraged about their future. Or Lewis returns to his 2020 form.
For now, fans need to be aware that this might be the last time we see Mitch Haniger put on a Seattle Mariners uniform. Due to his current back injury, he may have already played his last game in a Mariners uniform.
Right now, Haniger is trying to avoid the injured list, so he may be available for the final weeks of the season and the playoffs.
If the Seattle Mariners don’t bring back Mitch Haniger, who do you think should replace him? Let us know in the comments section below.