With a year and a half to go before free agency, Mariners right fielder Mitch Haniger will be among the more talked-about names in the three-plus weeks leading up to the July 30 trade deadline. The veteran outfielder is in the midst of a bounceback campaign after a pair of injury-ruined seasons, batting .252/.304/.479 (116 wRC+) with 18 home runs, 16 doubles and a triple. Statcast pegs him at three Outs Above Average in right field.
Despite that nice showing, Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times reports that the team has not yet approached Haniger about an extension, even though he’d be open to such talks. This time of year, such revelations are often accompanied by the assumption that absent a contract extension, a player is likely to be traded. That’s sometimes true — it’s reportedly more or less the case with Starling Marte down in Miami, for instance — but every situation is different.
Firstly, the Mariners aren’t squarely out of postseason contention. It’d be tough to erase a seven-game deficit and overtake not one but two very good teams (Houston and Oakland) en route to a division title, but the M’s have played good ball as of late and are now five games over .500. A Wild Card berth would be more viable, and they’re looking at a more manageable 3.5-game deficit in that race. At the very least, GM Jerry Dipoto is going to want to see how his club performs over the next couple of weeks before trading away veteran contributors.
Beyond that, the Mariners may not feel forced to trade Haniger, even though this is the apex of his trade value. It’s true that they’d get more for trading one-plus season of him in the next three weeks than they would by marketing one year of Haniger this winter, but it’s not as though he’d be devoid of trade value in the offseason — or even next summer. And with the Mariners playing as well as they have been lately, there’s reason to at least wait until the deadline approaches to give this group a chance to decide its own fate.
The Mariners, after all, are staring down a two-decade postseason drought. If they’re within arm’s reach of a Wild Card berth and/or a division lead in the days leading up to the deadline, it’d be hard to fault the front office for opting to ride things out with the current group (or even for making some additions that don’t mortgage the future). The fanbase in Seattle is starved for playoff baseball, and the heavy lifting in their rebuild has already been done. We also regularly hear GMs, managers, coaches and veteran players talk about the importance of exposing young players to the pressure of a postseason chase. It’s hard to quantify the benefit of that type of experience, but most agree on its inherent value.
As for an extension, however, that’d be another beast entirely. The best-case scenario for the Mariners is that their vaunted farm produces a controllable outfield. Jarred Kelenic struggled in his first taste of the Majors earlier this year, but he was making the jump to big leagues at 21 and with just six games of Triple-A experience under his belt. He’s demolished Triple-A pitching since being optioned back down to Tacoma — .302/.382/.621, seven homers, seven doubles, one triple, 14.5 percent strikeout rate, 10.9 percent walk rate — and is still seen as a long-term cornerstone.
Kelenic and Julio Rodriguez entered the season as consensus top-five prospects in all of baseball. Taylor Trammell has been widely regarded as a top-100 prospect himself, and the Mariners of course have 2020 AL Rookie of the Year Kyle Lewis — though he’s currently sidelined by another knee injury. That doesn’t even take into account 26-year-old Jake Fraley, who has never been considered an elite prospect but has emphatically forced his way into the conversation with a .263/.437/.505 showing in 134 plate appearances so far.
Suffice it to say, the Mariners are deep in outfield talent and there are only so many spots to go around. Extending Haniger takes one of those long-term positions and commits it to a player who’ll turn 31 this winter and is five years older than any of the in-house alternatives. There’s something to be said for Haniger as a proven commodity, but the Mariners also likely trust they can assemble a high-quality outfield with younger, more affordable players. Doing so would allow them to dedicate their financial resources to other areas of need.
Considering their outfield depth, it’s not too surprising to hear the Mariners haven’t put forth a long-term offer for Haniger. That doesn’t necessarily make a trade a fait accompli, however.
It’s possible that three weeks from now, the team’s play will have solved any potential dilemma for the front office. Seattle’s final seven games before the trade deadline come against the Athletics and Astros, from July 22-28. They have an off-day on the 29th. If the M’s stay red-hot and come away with a pair of series wins in that pivotal seven-game stretch, Dipoto & Co. will likely be more emboldened to take a measured shot at a 2021 run. If the Mariners go something like 5-13 in their remaining 18 games leading up to the deadline, including some poor play against their top rivals, it becomes far likelier that we’ll see Haniger and other veterans marketed in a hurry.
It’s too soon to know just how that’ll all play out, but we’ll still open this one up for debate. As things stand right now, what’s the best course of action for the M’s to take with Haniger? (Link to poll for Trade Rumors iOS/Android app users)
at his age and with his injury history, it’d be best to sell high.
Is it really ‘selling high’ if we all acknowledge this is as good as it gets and he is injury prone?
Surely GMs are going to pay attention to that the same way you are
But the question remains, is this as good as it gets? Don’t forget that Haniger was a legit MVP contender in 2018. He’s good right now, but he is not at his 2018 level. So there is room to get even better.
He could easily be a JD Martinez to Arizona or Yoenis Cespedes to the Mets type acquisition that just absolutely goes hog wild on his new team. Leaving Seattle for a more hitter friendly ballpark could be the ticket. (St. Louis?)
well i mean i guess, but its also possible the injuries make it hard to get all the way back
Also true, but with the current trade market, he is one of the top OFs available. No one is just going to give you Acuna or Trout. Everyone is going to have some warts, but Haniger probably has the most upside of any.
Holding on to him and hoping for the tiny chance that he goes back to those numbers is probably a bad plan. So you could argue that this isn’t the maximum possible value he could have, but this is still selling high, as he’s actually on the field and producing at an above average rate @ the plate.
I wasn’t arguing that Seattle should hold him. I was arguing that he would be among the better deadline pickups.
Seattle should definitely trade him, whether now or in the offseason. He’s not too old to extend, but the combination of age/injuries is not really set up to be a building block.
Sorry I didn’t state it clearly, I mentioned selling high on him further down the page, but forgot it in this discussion.
I’d say Kris Bryant probably has more upside than Haniger. Marte too, if Miami doesn’t extend him.
Bryant, yes…Marte, I doubt. I still think of Bryant as a 3B, but he could fit in as an OF as well. Plus there is no real guarantee either of them will be on the market. The Cubs might not sell, and the Marlins might extend Marte.
The cubs are 8.5 back in the division and 7 in the WC; I will be shocked if they don’t sell. Marte has been a more productive player than Haniger for most of his career and especially this year. There is as much of a guarantee that those two will be available as there is that Haniger is, so I don’t even understand that argument.
True, the past two weeks, between the Brewers winning streak and the Cubs losing streak, they have lost a lot of ground. But just two weeks ago they were in first place. 8.5 seems like a lot, but it’s really not. It’s basically making up a game a week. The Brewers are not going to be winning 11 in a row all the time and are due for a correction. The Cubs are due for a correction in the opposite direction.
If they are still 8.5 games back in 2-3 weeks, then yeah they probably will sell. But I wouldn’t count on them being that far back by then.
His injuries were anomalies, not recurring knee
Busch III is hardly hitter friendly and suppresses right handed power even more than T-Mobile Park.
Indeed, it would be selling high, but remember most prospects turn into nothing
Sea has open payroll, isn’t the most premier destination for free agents, already beloved in Sea , and will add expierence for the youngsters
I see a lot of value extending here
His big injury was a freak accident. I’m not sure I’d call him “injury prone”.
IThe M’s don’t need prospects for Haniger. What they need is Major League starting pitching on similar contracts such as Haniger, like Kyle Gibson, with a year remaining. They need to “augment” the club. Then try and re-sign whatever pitcher they trade for. Gibson is just an example, not the exact solution of the point I was trying to make.
You can acquire major league ready pitching for Haniger. Fraley, Trammell, Kelenic, will take over after the All-Star break and #5 prospect C Cal Raleigh is ready to make his major league debut. Those two hitters could potentially makeup for the loss of Mitch.
Then go after Marcus Semien in the offseason since Seattle will have one of the “lowest payrolls” in all of baseball.
sports.mynorthwest.com/1432303/dipoto-mariners-pla…?
Dipoto doesn’t have the cajones to sell high on Haniger.
I think you mean “Cojones”… Cajones is drawers
Maybe he doesn’t have the drawers to sell high on him either.
What does he need with cajones with no cojones? No se.
Well Haniger has a rebuilt one. A bionic cojones maybe?
He crushed a nut hurt his core working out incorrectly because he was worried about the little guy. Then hurt his back because of his core. Not sure how he is injury prone. You calling him that won’t lower his value. I would bet the GMs are smarter than you. At least in the value of a player to their team.
Maybe hes saying Dipoto isn’t the one wears the pants in this relationship when it comes to trading Haniger.
Think he meant calzones, he’s hungry
31 years old. Enough said. Trade him while he is a hot commodity.
I agree Koamalu
A little more context for the Mariners in the wild card race: they swept the WC1 Rays, are 3.5 back of WC2 Oakland who they still play *13* more times, and have the third-easiest schedule the rest of the way in the AL after having the second-hardest to begin the year.
With Lewis still out, if they trade Haniger and recall Kelenic— even if he’s found his footing—they’re relying on an entire outfield corp of highly regarded but inexperienced prospects (Kelenic, Jake Fraley, Taylor Trammell, and Shed Long, Jr.— a converted 2B man), to keep them in the hunt. So unless it’s a trade for a front-line-ish starting pitcher like Divish suggested, coupled with another trade for an outfield rental, there’s very little reason for the Mariners to give up Haniger when they’ve got a real opportunity to take advantage of a favorable final two months in front of them, IMO.
They have a lot of teams in between them though. rays have been absolutely awful the last few weeks so not a great measuring stick.
If they have a really hot next few weeks I could see them hanging on and maybe adding but everything will need to go right
It’s tight in the WC race, that’s for sure, but as of right now, the Mariners are the first team out, in third place behind the two wild card leaders, ahead of Toronto by .5 a game. Could change in a second, but they’re leading the pack of the outsiders.
i think the AL East is the most liable, of any in baseball, to potentially have 3 playoff teams. that’s hard, but there are 4 teams you can make a case for to win that division in the end.
Darkside, the AL East has a chance to send 3 teams to the playoffs provided the 3rd place team can beat out the 2nd team in the AL West. Its possible, but that will be tough as Houston and Oakland look strong.
Having said that, I would put money on 3 teams from the NL West making the playoffs. SF, LAD and SD are killing it. And Cincinnati is the only NL non division leader with a winning record.
Rays should always be the measuring stick.
Over the last six weeks the M’s have not only swept TB which was a 4g series btw, they’ve also won series vs CWS, OAK, CLE and TOR. All Playoff teams. They have two 4g sweeps in the same 6 week period. I don’t care if TB is currently struggling or not, a 4g series sweep is an incredibly hard thing to do once. Twice in 6 weeks? Thats a team who’s playing good ball.
Nice post Mpc. I agree w all that. Seattle sells off their best players and then they are still in rebuild mode.
I highly doubt any of trammel Lewis or kelenic reach their ceiling potential. Build around your proven talent
Stanton needs to spend money this offseason and take some pressure off a lot of the prospects. I think the only thing holding Lewis back is the knee injuries (that first home plate collision weeks after the draft haunts all of us, I’m sure). I’d hate for him to become a full-time DH, but I won’t be surprised when we start hearing the argument that it’s time to move him to a corner spot.
Kelenic and Trammell, man… I’m sure every team has guys that got really screwed over by lack of a minor league season in 20, but for the Ms it’s tough to say anyone but those two were hurt the most. I think Kelenic will be fine, combination of pedigree and working through ups and downs in Triple A now, even if our expectations are sky high. Trammell desperately needs to spend a full season in Triple A. They’ve thrown him into the fire straight from Double A out of desperation and it’s not helping him at all right now. He and White really need to spend all of 22 in Tacoma.
2A is for prospects and 3A for vets not good enough for the show. Might as well keep em both up at this point. Unless u replace them with a better player.
Lewis won ROY in his first 30 days. Sucks for him – he’s better off with no attention or expectations. Trammel and kelenic fell into being over hyped by rankings. Super hard to live up to being a top 25 prospect in baseball. Better off not ranking prospects at all due to failure rate. Not saying either will fail- just neither is elite.
Bot, Mpc, – so we’ve made up our mind on the 21 yr old Kelenic eh? We’ve decided he’s a bust after 23 games in the show eh? It turns out that maybe promoting a 21 yr old with a grand total of 30g played above A ball might have been a wee bit premature!! You think Jerry Dipoto might just have been rolling the dice since he knows this could be his last yr in Seattle?
In 22 games since his return to AAA he’s hitting .278/.362/.589 .951 OPS w 7 HRs 21 RBIs w only 16 K/outs and 12 BB. The kid (I mean that literally) has played a total of 29 games in AAA where his total is .299/.373/.598 (.971 OPS) w 9 HRs in 29g. Kelenic has now played a total of 50g above Single A.
He may have looked lost in his final week of his 23 game introduction to ML pitching but that’s not the case with his first 2 weeks in MLB. He was barreling up balls, not chasing pitches and frankly, extremely unlucky. His BABIP was THE lowest in MLB while having an xBA of around .250-.260 during those 2 weeks. I’m sure the dozens of MLB scouts, current and former GM’s and Industry experts were all wrong about him and I’m sure they’ve given up on the 21 yr old who was drafted out of High School. They’ve all surely now changed their predictions of him being a perennial All Star because of his 23 games in the show. He’ll be working at a car wash in Poughkeepsie NY in no time.
I am absolutely floored that Haniger is 31 already. He was a late bloomer, but still I figured he was only 28 or so.
Probably a good bet to sell high on. But I would not count on Kelenic, who could easily be a AAAA player. Get back a young outfielder in a Haniger package and then if Kelenic does develop, you have a much easier problem of too many outfielder to deal with than of too few. Just ask Cleveland how hard it is to fix a broken outfield.
Jerry won’t trade him unless the team trading for him blows him away with an offer. If this was his last year of control he’s have been traded by now. Graveman is definitely either getting traded or extended though. And Mitch plays out his Mariners tenure IMO. Maybe someone traded for seager since it’s the last year of his deal but I doubt it
yeah, as much as my plan as him would be to try and deal him, it would have to be a strong offer. if you can’t get that, might as well hold until the offseason and re-evaluate then.
Hey Cardinals! Are you reading this? Seattle is willing to trade outfielders, any of which is a better right fielder than what you have. Quit sitting on your hands and talk to these guys.
The Cards are 9 games back in the division and 7.5 back in the WC, they shouldn’t be trading for guys like Haniger even with the extra year of control, I don’t think he makes the cards a legit contender next year either, so you’re just getting rid of even more young talent from their farm.
If they keep sitting on their hands year after year, they will always be x number of games behind winning teams. Gotta do something some time, or do we just sit back and accept mediocrity from now on?
Next expected response is “they traded for Arenado”, good piece to add, but still under .500. Every MLB team has tons of injuries this year, so that’s not an excuse either. Need to get better soon at several positions. Right field is a black hole that needs filled. Bader is in reality, a glove only guy who should be coming in as a defensive replacement. Outfielders who can hit should be a priority. Haniger is available. He has a better track record than any unproven Cardinal prospect. They could be winning now, only if…
Mitch Haniger isn’t gonna make or break the Cardinals
You don’t trade away future talent to get 1.5 years of a guy like Haniger for a team in their position. That’s how you end up with a team like they have now.
@ Cosmo2-I think Haniger would improve their sub .500 situation. It would be nice to have a guy who can hit above the Mendoza line so they could leave Edman at 2nd base and bench floor-Matt Carpenter, another sub Mendoza player. They could at least try to improve their situation.
The Cardinals have guaranteed money through their cable package, and like their players, they are content without giving a lot of effort. It is just frustrating to watch for a half-century fan. I guess I don’t understand modern day baseball where as long as the money flows in, entertainment and fan excitement doesn’t seem to exist. Thanks for allowing me to vent.
If the Cardinals want to win moving forward, they need to do better. Panicking and going for Haniger isn’t gonna get them to the playoffs this year and it doesn’t solve anything long term. This just might not be the Cardinals year but they can easily be right back on top. They’ll need patience and better moves to do that, imo.
Hey Cardinal fans- there’s a huge difference between Seattle IS trading OFers and there is speculation Seattle might trade an OFer. Hey Mariners fans- the Cards are playing so poorly maybe we can trade for John Flaherty? Why not? If Jerry trades Haniger the return has to be outrageous.
By Cardinals’ standards, the 2021 STL team sucks. There is always hope Seattle will trade Haniger and if they do, I hope the Cardinals are listening. Just sayin’…
So sit Carlson? I don’t think so. O’Neill, Bader, Carlson is fine as an outfield. You don’t trade away the future for a guy like Haniger.
I said yesterday trade him but frankly I didn’t realize the Mariners were 5 games above 500. I think you could make a case for either keeping or dealing him whichever it could come down to the offers they get and the quality of them.
I wouldn’t stand pat. That to me makes no sense. Even if you only add cheaper rental players that shows the players you are serious about building a winner.
Is Connor Byrne still writing for MLBTR? Reason I ask is because he seemed to enjoy putting together polls quite often… just realized I haven’t noticed an article with his name in the byline recently.
Give him a 4-5 year deal and move him to 1st base.
i think they want to see if White sticks there. he’s a GG already there.
A 119 OPS+ 1B is not normally someone you’re looking to lock up for 4-5 years.
Seattle should hold onto him for at least the remainder of this year. I don’t think they’d get significantly less for him in the off-season.
Haniger is not injury prone. Look at his injuries, they have been unfortunate or unlucky injuries. If not for losing a ball the guy would never have been out for almost 2 seasons. On the flip side of that he probably is not overworked at 31 and may have a lot of life left in his arms and legs. He may be a good candidate for an extension and a veteran presence for the younger guys.
The very definition of injury prone.
“Regular” injuries plus injuries that not many get.
Hey Boney Cojone I have always thought injury prone is always being injured. Your def makes anyone injured injury prone. As usual you make no sense. Probably didn’t know what his injuries where until this article.
Slacker he didn’t loose a nut they are from what I hear both there one was just rebuilt. I learned more about busted nuts than I truly want to know. Looked and sounds painful.
Haniger came out and looked good his first month or so. Wonder if after 2 years off he is a bit tired but will catch his wind especially in a playoff run. I am torn on trading him but think it will be a big deal to get him.
Love him, but haniger for lemahieu straight up. NYY needs OF help.
Trading for a contract that pays someone until they are 37? When they are having a pedestrian year at age 32?
Look what happens when a dude changed scenery. Jake Bauers was left for dead, dudes hit nearly .300 here in almost 3 weeks. I’d be willing to bet that DJ returns to form on a young team that’s hungry on the verge of breakout.
I’d be in listening mode. They aren’t out of it, but he is a health risk, and they have guys that are going to replace him. I don’t think he will get a whole lot in return, but if someone were to offer a top-100 prospect, I’d make the move.
The plan for 2022 is likely to start the year with an OF of Lewis, Kelenic, Fraley, and Trammell. Rodriguez will still be in the minors. If Evan White starts in the minors then France likely plays 1b. There is an opening at 3b in that case unless Seager is brought back. The DH will be revolving so there is room for Haniger on the 2022 roster between OF and DH.
Shed or Moore might be able to shift to 3b. It will be interesting to see what happens
Top 50 Prospect Noelvi Marte 2 years away from manning third base for Seattle.
Thats what makes this next offseason so interesting.
Mariners need at least one Frontline starter and really two.
Gonzales , Iwakuma and Flexen are middle rotation guys.
If anyone wonders about that ask yourself if you were the GM of a serious playoff team if any of those guys lead your rotation to green pastures, and that you have to have them.
Is Dipoto going to pay that coin?
First base is unsettled, who in the world is starting at second on a team that we are told will be in the thick of things for years to come?
Who is at third? Hard to believe there isn’t someone groomed to take it.
We are looking at upwards of $70 million a year for pickups.
Is Dipoto, despite having a ton of money, going to actually make a strong playoff move?
move?
Is there anyone who thinks he will?
Iwakuma has been gone since 2017. Kikuchi maybe?
Give it up Tony you are just too funny. I saw a replay of the 2001 AS game. After I heard they signed Boone for 2nd Bone for LF and Saski to close.
To answer your Question is forget the bat and position argument. Seattle knew that they weren’t getting a HR hitter but singles and doubles with White. If he can hit .250 and GG D he is worth it. If there isn’t a true replacement at 2nd pick up Seagers option and play 2nd by committee until they get someone. Moore will get most of the time there. Your infield will be White Moore/France and Seager/France plus JP. They def need a front line pitcher but the guys we have won’t be ready. We need to sign a top guy that maybe was a bit off this year and wants a 1 year deal. I am not sure they want to pay for more than 3 years when their #1 is probably in the system if not on the team. The OF will sort itself out. Cal will come up and be the C need to get rid of Torrens ASAP. Murphy will be a good teacher for Cal. This is not the Ms of old when Nintendo wanted to just make money. They have saved to be able to spend. Sorry this is a bit disjointed bouncing between Ms and Yanks and soccer. These guys should be embarrassed to fake getting hurt like they do.
Dipoto is on record saying “Seattle will be spenders” in the offseason, yes.
sports.mynorthwest.com/1432303/dipoto-mariners-pla…?
Iwakuma? You just lost all credibility in posting here. And he was hardly a middle of the rotation starter. Goodbye
Mitch is a really nice player. Hidden up here in the NW but he is a 4.5 tool guy. Definitely capable of hitting closer to .300, and definitely capable of getting into the gold glove discussion. He’s very smooth out there; at the plate, in the field. A true pro.
I think we should lock him up to a 4-5 year deal before the yanks Sox or dodgers get to him
They still have a few weeks to see where they are in the standings, but selling high is probably the best option.
Long time sad Ms fan here. I am thrilled to even be in the talk of wildcard .. especially w the ridiculous amount of injuries we have had the most players called up of any team due to injuries more than half our rotation done for the year or close…guys aignt noone ever heard of we resembled a triple a or double a team many times this year. But players like jp kukichi France have made this team fun again!!
That being said , trade hannipoo. I love the guy he’s we t thru so much. But he’s aging. He is worth more to us getting some decent prospects. Plus our outfield is stacked. We litterly don’t need him. Plus I’d love to see fraleyyyyyyy more and see what he has.
Maybe this is the year we finnaly make a playoff game. The city if Seattle will go absolutely nuts. I doubt it. To young. To many injuries. But maybe
And it’s a Ludacris joke JP isn’t in the all star game
Getting excited about a team that is the #1 seed in the bottom half of the league just doesn’t sound all that thrilling.
Think about it, we’ve waited 20 years to make a postseason appearance but can only do so if the league includes more than half the teams.
There is something to be said though for experience and after all the Houston Rockets of the NBA went to the finals despite a losing record in the mid 80s
I think the next nine games will tell the tale. 3 with the Yankees, 6 with the Angels. At least 5-4 and maybe we can contend for the wild card. Less than that…
I don’t see this team beating the A’s, Astros or Boston in the playoffs. Or Dodgers and Giants.
The real key is the fire outfield. If Kelenic is the real deal. Can Lewis stay healthy. Is Rodriguez going to be as good as we think. Plus Fraley has game and Trammel has flashes.
For the right piece, I’d be all in on trading Haniger, much as I like him.
I think the M’s are a true Ace, closer and consistent big bat away from being a regular playoff, Series contender.
No, I don’t think we could get any of those for Haniger, but at least a decent complimentary piece
I think they should try lock in him for a fair three to five year contract if they can. If they can’t they should put him on the trade block
This ones a little more difficult than the Kikuchi one yesterday were I opted to pick up the 4 yr extension (rather easy decision)
I generally like the idea of flipping assets, but Im going to once again veer in the direction of an extension with Haniger on this one for Sea for a couple reasons –
First off they are going to be a very young team here soon, the expierence of Haniger can only help all the young Bucks .
Secondly, you could eat off this ledger its soo clean moving forward. Hat tip to Jerry for the slow/methodical burn he’s taken with this team the last 2~3 years for that .
Lastly, I know about the dream of Kelenic Lewis Rodriguez filling out the OF on pre arbs and all excelling but man how many times does everyone hit and at the same time? And yes I know there’s more talent like Fraley etc but Sea isn’t in the position to bet SOLEY on the come today Imo…You need building blocks to build up and Haniger has already showed he IS ONE …….. Id work today on something like a 3/45~50 extension for Mitch…. the open payroll easily supports this and can absorb the risk of a future inj even if things Go south. I don’t worry it will ever get “too crowded” . Not to mention how great would it be for M’s fans to see Mitch on the next great Sea team for the fans
I fashioned that AAV extension around Aj Pollocks contract at the time….I know he hasnt lived up to it but at the time of ink I think the values are similar …….. I Like Mitch far more than I ever did AJ but that was who I thought of contract wise devising that 3/45~50 extension for Mitch
I think that’d be fine if they could get him at 3/45, but I disagree with saying he’s shown he’s a building block – He’s 30, has his share of injuries and this year he has a 116 wRC+ and is on pace for about 2.5 fWAR. He’s a decent player and I like him, but that doesn’t really seem like someone I’d call a building block.
His share of 1 BB related injury. Is a pitcher injury prone if he battles a blister all season but had no other injuries? His other 2 where from working out.
If they can find anyone impressed enough with his “bounce back” .305 OBP to pay for him they should move him ASAP.
trade him for what? do you think they could get young players that will eventually contrubute at the MLB level? NO.
Look at the Betts trade or other High level talent thats been traded lately. No High end prospects…
so why trade him? where else are they gonna get a #3 or 4 hitter?
Pay him while the payroll is low.
If they can pay Kikuchi $16m, they can pay Mitch that kind of money.
Planning on France, Kelnic, Rodriguez, Raleigh means taking another year or two so they can cement their feet at the MLB level.
Haniger has an extra year of control and Verdugo has been worth roughly the same value as Haniger this year. I don’t think a 116 wRC+ makes a very good 3 or 4 hitter.
If they can get him for something like 3/45, I agree they should do it, but I would keep my expectations for his production in check.
We need to extend by 3 years—we can’t have all young kids and we can’t have all their contracts on the same cycle. See Glavine, Avery, and Schmoltz before they signed Maddox. That would be a huge expense if they were in todays market.
Keep him. They will still need Haniger another two years. After that he could still fulfill a role as DH/4th outfielder. Extend him 3-4 years. If they need don’t need him after two years then they can trade him. He’s not going to be expensive