The Red Sox have expressed interest in free agent outfielder Mitch Haniger, reports Jon Morosi of MLB.com (Twitter link). Boston joins the Dodgers, Rangers, Giants, Angels and incumbent Mariners among the clubs known to have checked in with his representatives.
Haniger is one of a handful of mid-tier corner outfielders available in free agency. The outfield market is topped by Aaron Judge and, after a significant gap, Brandon Nimmo. There’s another drop to the third tier, a mix that includes Andrew Benintendi, Jurickson Profar and bounceback types like Cody Bellinger and Michael Conforto alongside Haniger.
While Haniger isn’t in the same boat as Bellinger or Conforto, he’s also looking to rebound from a relatively down year to match pre-2022 heights. He lost a good chunk of this past season with a high ankle sprain. That kept him to 57 contests and 247 plate appearances, in which he hit .246/.308/.429 with 11 home runs. That’s still above-average offensive production once one accounts for the pitcher-friendly nature of Seattle’s T-Mobile Park, but it marked a somewhat disappointing follow-up to a 2021 campaign that saw him land some down-ballot MVP votes. Haniger connected on 39 homers with a .253/.318/.485 line over 157 games that year.
Various injuries have nagged the Cal Poly product throughout his MLB tenure, and he’s only twice exceeded 100 games in a season. When healthy, however, he’s typically provided a strong source of power from the righty batter’s box. Haniger owns a .244/.315/.469 line dating back to the start of 2019, and he’s mashed opposing left-handed pitchers to the tune of a .274/.355/.536 showing. His production against same-handed arms is closer to average, but he’s certainly playable against pitchers of either handedness. He typically rates as a solid defender in the corner outfield but isn’t an option for work in center.
The Red Sox have a fairly clear use for corner outfield help. Jarren Duran hasn’t performed at the major league level the way many had expected after he broke out as a prospect. He’s now 26 years old and owns a career .219/.269/.354 line at the MLB level. Duran hasn’t earned much consistent work against big league pitching and a win-now Boston club would be hard-pressed to rely on him for an everyday role. Alex Verdugo has played well at times but posted overall numbers around league average for the past two seasons. Haniger would be an upgrade on either player, and Boston also has an uncertain DH mix with the free agency of J.D. Martinez.
1 year/$9M w/ a $2M buyout on a $13M mutual option or something seems like a good deal for Haniger’s services.
Maybe 2 years/$22M straight up.
Wouldn’t go beyond 2 years, wouldn’t go beyond $11M or so a year.
That’s a fair price. FG Crowdsource has him as $24M/2. Similar to your first suggestion, I’d offer $22M/2 with a $14M team 3rd year option, that would revert to a player option with 1,100 PAs in the first two years of the contract.
That should pay him, plus provide him with some upside if he remains healthy.
FWIW, he is one of my favorite targets for the RS in this year’s FA Class.
Who or what is FG Crowdsource?
I just found it ‘Fangraph Crowdsource 2023 free agents’. Nice resource, but all FA’s seem to be lowballed there.
Vazquez is getting more than 2yrs/16M, Bogaerts 6yrs/168M, JD Martinez 1yr/12.5M.
Everyone seems to be at 80% of real value.
I think this has been pointed out on FG in the past, but it’s helpful to remember that the Crowdsource figure is an average. In real life, if the player has five contract offers for his services, he does not accept the average of their bids. He can take the highest bid. So that explains the space that opens up between a CS figure and an actual contract amount.
Nice resource, but all FA’s seem to be lowballed there.
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I haven’t checked out the Crowdsource FA’s, but some of their other Crowdsource predictions seemed pretty good (their HOF predictions IIRC).
In any case, MLB-R has Haniger at $39M/3, which wouldn’t be far off of FG $24M/2 + my suggested $14M option. But I am a RS fan, so I tend to see things from my advantage point.
“Haniger at $39M/3, which wouldn’t be far off of FG $24M/2”
Youre talking about a 15M difference on a small contract. Thats way off. You can say ‘but the average’. But getting a 3rd year, would be HUGE for Haniger. And, there’s no way he doesnt find 1 team willing to go 3 years.
What I wrote was: “Haniger at $39M/3, which wouldn’t be far off of FG $24M/2 + my suggested $14M option. ”
You left off the option with 1100 PAs.
Horace – You are 100% correct. But as usual, there will be some who don’t understand what the numbers represent and therefore misuse the data.
Why not just give years and money? We’re not really negotiating here. Your scenario has a team option, that becomes a player option, or is it a mutual option.
So if Im following correctly:
—1100 ABs: (only 48 players got 550 AB this season, and he has to average that over 2 years). If he does, he will probably put up good numbers, and would want to be an FA instead of a 1 year deal at that point. ===Player Declines Option.
—If he’s close to 1100 ABs, but he’s not putting up good numbers. Suddenly, the team will decide to give younger players some playing time and he falls short of 1100. === Team Accepts Option
—If he doesnt get 1100 ABs: Team can keep him whether he wants to stay or not. (He gets 1000 AB, Hits 50 HRs and wants to hit FA, but cant because of terrible option). Team Accepts or Declines Option based on his value.
In almost all of the scenarios, Haniger never activates his option. Its very team slanted. 2/24 is better than that option
Correction in 2nd scenario:
If he’s close to 1100 ABs, but he’s not putting up good numbers. Suddenly, the team will decide to give younger players some playing time and he falls short of 1100. === Team Accepts Option
Shouldve said “Team DECLINES Option”
It is 1100 PAs. Over the past two years, 76 players have qualified.
The $14M option is to give him some flexibility. If he hits 50 HRs, as you say, he opts out. If he hits 36 HRs he likely opts in. If he has 650 PAs in 2023, and only 450 PAs in 2024, due to injury, he likely opts in.
There is a risk of that happening, but the RS would need to be out of it. If Haniger has a .725 OPS, and the RS feel he isn’t worth the $14M, they probably still won’t replace him with a weaker player
The 1100 PA idea isn’t as difficult as you make it sound, IF a player stays healthy, and, IF he performs well enough not to be platooned.
You’ve got 30 teams and 9 position/dh hitting slots in the lineup. So, 270 potential slots from which to accomplish PAs league wide.
If your one-year numbers are taken, then just under 20% did it in a year. If Joe’s numbers are taken, then just under 30% made 1100PAs over two seasons.
In other words, he’s tying it to being roughly top-third in the league. If your skill set is so limited you need to be relegated to platoon work or you’re so fragile you can’t stay on the field, I don’t think you deserve as much power to insist on better terms.
He seems so Gianty, as long as his ankle holds up. And he’s from the Bay Area.
I swear these guys are trolling us when they write that the Red Sox are in “win now” mode.
Three All-Stars leaving with a possible 4th on his way out the door, and so far absolutely nobody even close to capable of replacing their production over the past few years. More holes than swiss cheese, more question marks than a Kelly Bundy essay.
But what ab assay to look at…
LMAO, Fever. So true…
Give the off-season some time. They could be wrong but they’re not trolling.
if the price drops low enough the sox might be interested on a 1 yr deal
Randy – Sadly, you are probably right.
If “IF’s” were skiffs we would all go for a boat ride.
Dude I hate the way the Red Sox are run. It’s crazy that the west coast teams are now outspending the east coast teams… the Padres are the new Red Sox imho
Haniger is a good player, albeit injury-prone. And his price tag is not cheap.
Do you think a team that charges it’s fans more then any other team just to get in the door is justified to subjugate them to a injury-prone player like Mitch?
No one is forced to buy a ticket. No one is subjugated.
“charges it’s fans more then any other team”
Fenway only fits 37,000. It doesn’t have many crap seats, the ones that cost $15 or $20 in another stadium. Those crap seats bring down the average price.
Very deceptive way to look at how owners should approach FAs. Overall revenue is much clearer way. Red Sox are in 3rd place, and they have the 4th highest payroll. Very similar.
is justified to subjugate them to a injury-prone player
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IMO, the RS should be required to spend up to the limit, and break the cap if we are contending in July.
But that said, the off-season is about getting the most WAR/$$$. I’d also like to sign DeGrom & Rogers as well. But there is a -0- chance of us getting all the best players, at all the highest prices. So if I am going to get my wish for DeGrom (or Verlander), then I have to concede spending elsewhere.
Last time I was there there were lots of seats with pylon-obstructed views.
suit – I am 100% with you there. If fans and corporations continue to pay top dollar for an inferior product, that’s on those who make that decision.
It reminds me of people who complain about paying $10 for a hot dog or $12 for a beer at a game. Those prices are being charged because people are willing to pay those prices.
utah – Fenway is notorious for the worst seats in MLB, and they don’t mark them down either.
I’d prefer JDM back than MH but why not both? Between the two you have a full-time righty bat with pop as the DH and if MH is healthy, he plays in right with Verdugo in left.
not a snowball’s chance in h..l this FO BUCKS up for both JDm and Haniger. Think lower with 1 year deals.
Zoppity – That’s actually a good analogy, Padres are hungry to win like the Red Sox were back in the early 2000’s.
Given how spending has gone so far, I wouldn’t be surprised if Haniger gets 2/$30M or 3/$42M. A healthy Haniger is a difference maker for most teams. He plays passable defense with a well above average bat. This is exactly what Boston needs. Boston needs to outbid the competition for his services as they have the worst OF in the majors when it comes to HR power and RBI as well. Haniger would be a great addition and the relatively short length of his contract won’t block some of Boston’s top OF prospects who should be ready by 2024.
This guy hit 39 bombs in 2021.
If he plays 90% DH and 10% in the field his bat is worth at least $15M/year. If Nelson Cruz could make that money strictly as a DH so can this 31 year old.
Mitch makes sense for the Red Sox considering his spray chart. He might be a doubles machine at Fenway.
Why go for what might be a doubles machine? JDM is one and would probably cost $30m for 2 years if not less.
JD was pretty bad last year. And he locks up the DH role. I’d prefer guys that can play the field. If we get Haniger, maybe add someone like Mancini who can churn thru 1B against tough lefties, some DH, and the occasional RF.
JD Martinez has hit more doubles than HRs the past 3 years. Haniger has more HRs than doubles in his last 3 years.
Who you calling a “Doubles Machine”?
Plus Haniger will play the field while Martinez blocks the DH position. Haniger is a much better signing than Martinez would be.
Based on the spray chart and the dimensions of the stadium. I’m saying he could be a doubles machine. I’m sorry that Mitch and Martinez hit both homeruns and doubles in baseball. Didn’t even mention JD. I didn’t think my original statement involved talking about who will hit more homeruns or doubles.
Dewey brought up JD. I was responding to him.
sox will likely sign neither. think Eric Hosmer as DH given that the Padres are paying his $$
Like everyone, I wonder what will become of Mitch Haniger.
He might evercome his injury-proneness and still have one or two more great years.
He does know how to hit.
But I also guess he will not be with the Mariners anymore. All good things come to an end.
Maybe he just needs an exoskeleton?
Take a look at a documentary I saw called Robocop.
I hope they make Mitch Haniger into Robocop. Maybe it could be negotiated in his contract? Almost like a performance bonus.
The AL East is looking interesting in 2023.
The Red Sox look pretty weak currently. I do not see them contending unless they sign one of the big shortstops and address pitching, not to mention the other holes. I don’t see them finishing above 4th unless they make some big additions.
The Rays didn’t have a strong 2022 and I’m not sure they are going to spend the money needed to greatly improve.
The Orioles look a lot better. I could see them contending for a Wild Card spot if they add a couple pitchers.
The Blue Jays have the talent and willingness to win the AL East in 2023.
The Yankees need to keep Judge. I still think it’s between them and the Blue Jays in 2023 for the division. If they lose Judge, I think they’ll still add enough pieces to compete with the Jays.
That is the problem, whether the Yankees retain Judge or replace him with Turner, Nimmo or another player, they are poised to win the division again but not necessarily to go further than that.
Are they? Take away the MVP and no replacement, are they poised for anything? Will they stay healthy? Will they be older or take a step forward? Is another top run producer a lock for pinstripes?
Color me skeptical but I think NY feels like it’s status quo and another playoff year. I don’t think that’s a bad position to be in. You have to start getting an “on field” return from the prospects.
(TX Fan)
Washington lost Harper to FA and then won a World Series.
“….a win-now Boston club”?
Where is there any evidence that this is the case?
More of “..a build=for-the-future-whenever that is”” club to my eyes.
“..a build=for-the-future-whenever that is”” club
Its 2024 earliest, 2025 latest. Obviously, you dont follow MILB. The wave of prospects theyll have at High-A and Double A in 2023 is impressive.
I can see my comment was misleading with regard to the future.
In the BG comment board I’ve repeatedly told the hordes of commenters clamoring for big signings this off-season that 2023 is NOT the year they’ve circles. 2024/2025; that’s the target.
So…I agree with you…and I do follow MLB…24/7/12 months a year.
Mitch’s 2021 stats don’t even count the ball that he lost
I can’t believe but i would probably rather have Wil Myers. Haniger is far too injury prone for the amount of money he may cost. If its $10 million or lower fine but anything over that to me should be a pass
Still hoping the M’s bring him back. I believe they will regret not matching whatever offer he ends up getting.
I remember when he was going to be part of our playoff future and we wouldn’t trade him. Now we are just going to let him walk. Why not bring him back as dh 4th outfielder?
$12 mil a year to keep Sale company in the hospital. They can share a room.
Sox I believe are counting on Rafaela by All Star break to make the jump which is a big if…
May as well just call him to start the year since the owners don’t plan on spending any money, so next year is pretty much lost anyways
Red Sox were over the cap this year, and 2 years ago and the year before that and the year before that.
Where does this “owners dont plan on spending any money” come from. Nothing backs it up, other than your bitterness.
Some RS fans think we are a small payroll team.
those are the same fans that don’t pay attention to the fact that the spent over the luxury tax and are angry that the sox haven’t signed a big name free agent when literally none of the top 15-20 free agents have signed anywhere.
The problem isn’t whether the sox spent over the cap… it’s HOW the sox spent the money.
I can buy 10 cars out of the junkyard at $700 each and hope one will run reliably.
I can buy ONE car that’s known good, inspected, with a limited warranty for the same $7000.
Bloom does the former with players generally. Spreads the money around hoping to make multiple hits at value he can flip. He’s mostly failed at it.
Farm system rankings don’t get flags, and, flags fly forever. Highly rated prospects like Chavis, Dalbec, and Duran have done what lately? Finally, I’ll leave you with the idea that anyone who is a LOSER consistently will pile up high draft picks, which, give you the ability to select at the top of the draft. No skill needed to lose and accumulate those picks.
Highly rated prospects like Chavis, Dalbec, and Duran
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1-They weren’t that highly rated. Chavis topped out at #86 by BA and not rated by BP. Dalbec topped out at #75 by BA and not rated by BP. Duran topped out at 91 & 81.
2-You can’t judge a process by only the good or bad. We had Chavis, Dalbec & Duran, but we also had 4 guys over the past ten years that will be receiving HOF votes.
FWIW, I’m an agnostic on the farm. All farm OR no farm will not work. We need to develop at least one hitter AND one pitcher EVERY year.
The simple calculus is that HOU, NYY, NYM, LAD & Atl develop kids every year. We’re not rich enough to compete without prospects. The key will always be differentiating between those that will develop, and those that won’t.
Joe –
I merely point to those names, and disappointments, as recent examples for those who run around screaming ‘look at the farm rankings’ while the mlb club has been relegated tk a steaming dumpster fire.
The take away is, no guarantee of any prospect being a savior for a franchise. Heck, I just picked those as recent examples, I could’ve chosen higher ranked higher profile busts like swihart, Espinoza, even Brian Johnson or so many others who were so ‘highly regarded’…….
Yes, prospects are necessary to fill gaps, you can’t build a team alone through free agency.
However, there was a championship quality core in place in Boston. It was torn down prematurely, and, with little return of value compared to what was shipped out or mismanaged.
What, specifically, was brought in of value in the 2022 season worth going over the CBT and blowing the comp picks for eovaldi and Bogey? I can anticipate your answer – they haven’t signed elsewhere yet. So, how about we defer the question until after they do and them we can get the justification for that mismanagement?
Dombrowski promoted the high levels of the farm to the MLB team while having straight years of relevance until injuries and some underperformance outside his control led to one bad season. And he did it while saddled with a predecessors bad contracts inflating payroll. Nobody waited for the next round of prospects to move up and develop. If the justifications for his firing are one bad extension to Sale, bloom has wasted more $ for $ since. If the justification is being over CBT when mookie was expiring, and, would’ve cost picks then cite to eovaldi and bogey.. Bloom did that TWICE in one offseason now.
For going on 4 offseasons now I keep hearing a moving target to wait for the kids…. years of controlled elite talent squandered. Even above average talent like Benny sold for a handful of beans, and, left with…. nothing usable from the deal, just hopes and dreams of a future that may never be.
Well, one by one the pre-bloom guys are leaving town, and a collection of retreads and has been s are what populate most of what bloom brings in. Was the Paxton money well spent on the gamble? Or, would bullpen arms have been a better investment?
“a win-now Boston club“
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaaaaaaaa……HAH!
I’m a Red Sox fan and am laughing with you. Bloom and this ownership group are a complete and total joke at this point. I bet Dave Dombrowski is laughing too.
I think the Angels have already traded for their starting OF’r
FREE Mickey Moniak……..
The free agent compensation system is backwards. Paying for past performance is just dumb. Paying for future performance is a risk that works only for near their prime players. Free agent salaries make sense only for mid level role players.
BREAKING: Red Sox Interested In Your Mom
BREAKING: Red Sox in your mom, interested?
Wild card Mitch. I think he has as wide of a market as anybody this year; could see him getting 8-9 annually and could also see him rob 15ish from somebody.
PS he would tear the green monster up if he played there everyday. He’d be a big fantasy target if he signs w/BOS
He’d be on the bridge in Cleveland as a Guardian
Sign Deavers first! John Henry! 300 million!
But what about Devers? Deavers shouldn’t cost $300 million.
They’ll trade Devers for three mediocre prospects. Mookie all over again.
The context is far different
Mitch would fit beautifully in Fenway Park. I think it’s a match made in baseball heaven. Logical, sound, and economical…if Red Sox can’t get this one over the finish line, then the entire franchise has given up.
You’re joking, right? There are a lot better players on the market than Haniger, some of which we are giving up to free agency.
None of which the Sox will pony up the $ for, though.
The interest kings at it again
Not to disrespect Mitch, but I think a multi-positional player (1B and corner outfield) RH hitter is available in Wil Myers. The Red Sox have been linked to a RH platoon at first base and probably could use a RF/LF option as well. Myers has also not been an injury risk throughout his career and would probably be cheaper. Myers can also play CF in a pinch. To paraphrase Rick Pitino “Aaron Judge ain’t walking through that door anytime soon”.
Redsox should do an Adrian beltre style 1 year deal on Bellinger
Sign Bellinger? What’re we doing – assembling an “All Injury Cheap Team”?
It’s really sad as a longtime fan that the comments on the Sox transactions are better then the actual transactions. Maybe the ownership group think the fans are spoiled?
I don’t know. I’m not sure I like this.
Is it just me or does Bloom only find the money to sign guys who need a comeback year?
The power isn’t my concern but Haniger doesn’t hit for average and who will we have left to hit for average when Bogaerts and Martinez are gone?
Pedey: Agreed, he’s not great, but I’m not even sure it’s true. I think interest can get exaggerated a lot in articles this time of year.
Perfect candidate for the Bloom Sox
Looking for……someone like….a..Hunter Renfroe…..
Umm…pass.
Come on Bloom! This is garbage for our needs! OF is Judge! RH Bat Power, RF CF. I mean get a clue here! Judge Devers an ACE & Fix the Bullpen…if Bogey leaves get Turner or Correa or Swanson. That’s it…easy…logical…got to do it if you don’t want a pissed off RSNation!
Blooms more concerned about having a pissed off ownership group. That’s who can fire him. Fans cant.
Stymeed: You really believe Bloom is trying get fired?
Stymeed: Never mind. I see what you are saying.
Chaim Haninget would be a good fit for the Prates who are paupers not Boston.Chaim cannot resist going after a cheap bargain. Well so far we have picked up two sub players a mediocre relief pitcher and promoted a bench coach. I’d say Chaim is up to his usual self. Yeah they are going to spend big this off-season and I’m the pope.
He’s heading to Texas for 2 years and $32 million
Good player. I thought he was Seattle’s 2nd best player after Rodriguez. He could do well playing left in Fenway and has lots of power. Probably worth a 2 year $30M total deal ( year 1 guaranteed, year 2 club option) coming off a couple of injury years.
Weei has Red Sox not signing one top 25 fa. When folks say Chaim has to go I am now thinking that bser Sam kennedy needs to go too if they fail this year.
Mitch Ballsbreaker would thrive there with the monster and open DH spot.
Win now Res Sox???? This writer is funny. Sox with Bloom and current have more important issues like selling Liverpool FC and buying the Washington Commanders to join the Red Sox and Pittsburgh Penguins than putting a winning baseball team on the field
I don’t think Bloom is involved with the Liverpool soccer team.
Another injury riddled player? Really? Bloom this isn’t Tampa you don’t have a squad of replaceable parts. The Red Sox do not have the minor league depth to go dumpster diving again for reclamation projects. As if that went well last year, you could of traded Martinez and Bogaerts for prospects then tried to sign them back. Nope, Bloom had to be an idiot.
Judge checks off all the needs the Redsox have…RH Bat, Power, Ave, good arm, CF/RF…pay the man and move to the next piece! 8/320 then lock up Raffy at 10/300
What is it with Bloom going for all these injury riddled players? Have they even seriously offered Bogey a long term deal? Bloom is a joke!
Bloom trying to pick up more crumbs. They should call him “The Vacuum”.
He’s like the ownership maid – goes behind the market and sucks up crumbs.
To be keeping his job after the product he’s been putting on the field there’s two reasons to call him the vacuum – not related to crumbs but because he sucks.
A “win now Boston club…” Come on. This is rebuild time.
Hard to make the case that the Red Sox are in “win-now” mode while at the same time reporting they are targeting Mitch Haniger in Free Agency.
I don”t deny circumstance that Boston exceeded a tax in 2022 and before.
But to ignore that Bloom can”t dispose of finances and ignores home-bred players.
He created a problem with X-man, not without participation of guidance and signing of Story in a past offseason look like a thoughtless step.
I “m sure, if Bloom offered Bogie contract of Story or 150-160 million Xander accepted him.
If Story won”t be able to play the SS at 2023 is a problem.
If Chaim won”t sign Bogie or other SS is a double problem.
In 2021 Bloom managed not badly and it is a fact ( maybe he did not expect such result ), but in 2022 of Chaim spoiled the motions ( Diekman, Robles, Bradley, Paxton, Show ) and chased after middle prospects in the exchange of Renfroe, created a problem the same in the right field.
I think that Bloom not bad and not good, he between, such what he is and 2023 a year will show what he costs.
This pretty much says it all: “one of a handful of mid-tier corner outfielders available in free agency…only twice exceeded 100 games in a season”
In other words, Bloom can hope to pick him up cheap. Perhaps Duran can stumble around the outfield the other 62 games of the season.
The Mariners would be stupid to let Hanniger go .. he’s ready to explode this next year ..
Agree. But like Benintendi, he probably needs a change of scenery for it to happen.
RedSox. Forget Boegarts. Move on. Sign Trea Turner. Let’s get quality and move forward.
Woo hoo. Not exciting !!
Anyone have an idea of their payroll now ? Take off JD, Boegarts, Jackie Bradley and David Price. I may be missing someone else,.
$145M, depending on the website, and depending on how JBJ buyout is treated. My guess is we have $85M left. That’s about enough for DeGrom, Rogers, Bogaerts & Hanigan.