“The Diamondbacks are said to have interest in both” Mitch Haniger and Nomar Mazara, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic writes. Either player would address Arizona’s need for a right fielder, and though the D’Backs would be taking something of a risk either both are coming off disappointing 2019 seasons. Haniger didn’t play after June 6 due to a ruptured testicle, and even in the 283 plate appearances prior to his injury was already delivering less production than during his impressive 2017-18 campaigns. Mazara has been a steadily subpar offensive performer (92 wRC+, 93 OPS+) over his four career seasons with the Rangers, hitting .261/.320/.435 with 79 homers over 2189 PA and generating only 1.7 total fWAR.
That said, both offer upside for interested trade partners. Mazara is a former top prospect and he has hit right-handed pitching decently well, which Piecoro notes is an area of need for the D’Backs. Haniger, of course, is a known quantity in Arizona — he broke into the big leagues with the Snakes and then was dealt to the Mariners as part of the November 2016 trade that brought Ketel Marte to the desert. Mazara has two remaining years of arbitration eligibility, while Haniger is arb-eligible for the first time this winter (and at a projected $3MM price tag, so his rough 2019 season also lowered his ceiling for future arbitration earnings). While Seattle is at least open to discussing Haniger in trades, GM Jerry Dipoto still highly values Haniger, so a deal wouldn’t come easily for the Diamondbacks. It would seem that Mazara would be the more available of the two options, as Texas has been rumored to be looking to deal from its surplus of left-handed hitting outfielders.
Here’s more from Arizona…
- In terms of what the D’Backs might give up for Haniger, Mazara, or any other veteran upgrades, GM Mike Hazen indicated that his team is “willing to” part with some “good minor league players.” Piecoro suggests that the team wouldn’t be likely to trade its very top prospects, but would be open to dealing youngsters “from the next tier down” in the rankings. It is perhaps noteworthy that the three names Piecoro cites as “the players [the Diamondbacks] view as their best prospects” are Daulton Varsho, Geraldo Perdomo, and Corbin Carroll, whereas two other prospects (Alek Thomas and Kristian Robinson) occupy the top two spots on MLB Pipeline’s ranking of Arizona’s top 30 minor leaguers, though Piecoro said “perhaps others” are also in the team’s internal top tier.
- Beyond right field, the Diamondbacks are also on the lookout for center field help. While Marte played both center field and second base last year, Hazen told The Athletic’s Zach Buchanan (Twitter link) and other reporters that he would prefer to land a center fielder to lighten the load on Marte. Shogo Akiyama has been mentioned as a potential target for the D’Backs, though Hazen said that he hasn’t yet met with the Japanese center fielder and doesn’t have meetings scheduled for the future.
- Hazen told Piecoro and other reporters that after signing Junior Guerra, the D’Backs are still looking for “one more” reliever. Archie Bradley pitched well enough in the closer role last year that a new reliever doesn’t necessarily require closing experience to be considered, though Hazen said that a reliever that could be used “toward the back end [of the bullpen] would be ideal.”
Did he rupture his testicle on or off the field?
if i remember correctly he was beaned by a baseball during a game.
I’m pretty sure it was a foul ball. What’s most amazing about this story is that he played 3 innings after the rupture
You’re correct. It was off of a foul tip swing right to the groin. Made me cry when I saw it.
A very foul, painful ball indeed.
Fouled one off the plate that bounced up
“ruptured testicle” –makes me wince every time I read it.
Can’t they just call it a groin injury?
Nope. It is what it is.
The groin is the groin the testicle is the testicle
Hanover will be dealt in the off-season or before the deadline. He’ll bring back a top pitcher, and a position player, all prospects only one being on the 40 man plus one other pitcher, a young Baz (guy Pittsburg sent to Rays) type. They are about to rebuild, have money coming off in Felix and Gordon and have the dealingest gm in sports. I doubt he would but had they began the rebuild a couple seasons ago I could see them signing Cole. Sea should send White to St.Louis for Carpenter and Martinez plus $16,000,000. If they bounce back they’re good trade chips although Sea might have to include something.
About to rebuild. It began last year. Gordan is still on the books along with Seager. Both tough to trade due salary and contract.
You mean after the 2001 season right?
That is not trade Seattle would do in the middle of a rebuild. They think Evan White is their first baseman of the future and they finally have payroll flexibility. Why throw away both in a single trade?
Hanover was one of the winningest hydroplane drivers ever. He is retired now I believe. Seattle won’t be trading him.
Evan White is our 1st bm now and for the future he isn’t going anywhere. Haniger was not going anywhere until the breakout season some of the guys we got back in trade. Kelenic was one of them. Haniger will bring back some good pieces he had just started to get going when he cued the white ball into the left pocket. It was a big time scratch but the Dr said don’t do that again. Hate to see him go he became part of the family really fast. Great guy great player he will be missed if he goes.
I think Nomar Mazara is poised to be a potential breakout star soon. I know he hasn’t lived up to the expectations yet but he’s still relatively young and has show flashes of his potential throughout the past few seasons. I think he’s just an adjustment or two away from really becoming a force offensively – and maybe a change of scenery will help him realize some of that potential. I still think he’s more than capable of hitting 30-35+ HRs/year he just seems like he needs to turn a corner and then he could be off to the races. We’ll see obviously he has to put in the work but if I had to pick someone who I think could improve drastically going forward — he’d be close to the top of my list.
We have been saying this in Texas for three years. At this point I think he is what he is.
Some guys only make it big after they move on. We got the benefit of Josh Hamilton after he was traded to us by the Reds. I have no problem letting Nomar move on if it is what it takes for him to become the best player he can be.
It would be tough to get much for him; he has less then two WAR over 2200 PA.
About 20 HRs a season (19 last season) in that ballpark in a time where there are allegations of juiced balls and everyone is teeling off is a joke!
Haniger – Jake Fraley – Dee Gordon and Cash
For
Kristian Robinson – Brennan Malone and the Dbacks 2020 Comp A pick
Who’s saying no?
As a Mariners fan, I would be happy with that return. Not sure about Dback fans.
The M’s could always take Thomas in a deal
They have mad payroll space and nothing to use it on this year
I’m not saying No, but Robinson and Malone are pretty young. I think the M’s are aiming for players a little closer.
The 22-23 seasons should be the goal
Also acquiring young talent in trades allows the M’s to use extra picks on a deep group of College players in the 2020 draft
Huge NO from Dbacks. Both Robinson and Malone are non-starters for a trade.
Lol okay
I’m guessing Levi Kelley – Blake Walston – Luis Frias and Liover Peguero are all non starters too?
St. Louis has similar want/needs and availability
CF is/should be the Dback’s #1 priority. Their focus has to be protecting Ketel Marte’s health by moving him to the infield. Whether by free agency or trade, they need a CFer. I’d like to see a trade with Oakland for Ramon Laureano. Second option is Starling Marte in a trade with the Pirates. And 3rd option is a free agent signing for Shogo Akiyama. 4th option is taking JBJ’s contract off Boston’s hands, IF they throw in a very top prospect, problem is that Boston doesn’t have any good prospects and they don’t match up well with Arizona’s needs.
Would love to see Daulton Varsho as part of the return if Haniger is dealt. The kid has a great approach and continues to show that he will be a complete and well rounded player.
As a Mariners fan, when it comes to a possible trade with the Diamondbacks involving Mitch Haniger, how about straight up for Ketel Marte? 😉
Actually, I don’t see Dipoto trading Haniger right away, but if it happens I could see some kind of deal where the M’s package Gordon with Haniger for a few decent prospects, possibly sacrificing the quality of the prospect package a bit in order to rid themselves of Gordon’s contract. Haniger for a good prospect, add Gordon, and get a low-A guy or two in addition? Although Gordon may not even have that much trade value…
Keep Haniger and build with him. He’s a total pro with millions $ of incentives to be great. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him turn into a perennial all-star,
I would hold on to him. A lot of potential there to lead a young team. You can always trade him at the deadline.
M’s should definitely keep Haniger until the deadline. Only trade him if you can get a top-70 guy, a top-130 guy, and a lottery ticket.
Haniger has 3 years of control and is a 4 WAR outfielder (6-WAR in 2018). Return has to be good but I really wouldn’t mind keeping him for the full year either if no one offers a good package.