While Mariners right fielder Mitch Haniger was deemed close to untouchable in trade talks last offseason, some around the game expect him to be available in the coming offseason, tweets MLB Network’s Jon Heyman. That’s hardly a firm indication that Seattle will push to move Haniger when his value has diminished, but the 28-year-old (29 in December) would make an interesting addition to the winter trade market should the Mariners entertain offers on him. Haniger has been out for more than two months due a to a ruptured testicle that required surgical repair, and he wasn’t anywhere near his best when healthy, hitting .220/.314/.463 with 15 home runs in 283 trips to the plate. But he logged a combined .284/.361/.492 batting line (134 OPS+) in 2016-17 with the Mariners and can still be controlled through the 2022 season. Add in quality defensive marks in right field plus the ability to man center field when needed, and it’s easy to see why Haniger would hold appeal throughout the league even on the heels of a down campaign. Broadly speaking, Seattle GM Jerry Dipoto is as open-minded about trades as any baseball ops leader in the game, so it stands to reason that Haniger and others will be oft-cited trade candidates this winter, whether a deal comes to fruition or not.
More from the AL West…
- Astros top prospect Kyle Tucker’s wait to return to the big leagues will be over in the near future, writes Jake Kaplan of The Athletic (subscription required). At the very least, the 22-year-old will be in line for a September call-up (perhaps after the Triple-A season ends), and he could factor into Houston’s postseason plans as well, depending on how many pitchers the club plans to carry. Tucker took a professional tone when discussing the fact that he understands why he’s still in Triple-A, given then outfield depth the Astros have on the big league roster, adding: “…obviously, I wish I’d be up there helping out, too.” Tucker’s recent exposure to playing first base came at his own request in an effort to enhance his versatility, Kaplan notes, and that added position could be a ticket to carving out more regular at-bats in the Majors next season. Houston has Josh Reddick, George Springer, Michael Brantley and Jake Marisnick all under control for next season and has Yordan Alvarez, Yuli Gurriel and Aledmys Diaz in the mix as first base/DH options. Despite that wealth of options, though, president of baseball operations Jeff Luhnow has effectively made Tucker off limits when other teams have inquired about his availability, signaling that he’ll eventually be leaned upon as a key contributor in the Astros’ lineup.
- Left-hander Sean Manaea threw 91 pitches and picked up a win in his latest start for the Athletics’ Triple-A club in Las Vegas. Manaea, on the mend from shoulder surgery, had his rehab assignment halted briefly this month due to some discomfort in his side but has now made a pair of outings since returning and looks to be largely stretched out. In his past three rehab appearances with the Aviators, Manaea has a 2.70 ERA and a 24-to-4 K/BB ratio in 16 2/3 innings of work. When and how he’ll be worked back into the rotation remains unclear, but the A’s will have to make a decision on that front relatively soon. The most logical candidate to lose a rotation spot would be veteran righty Homer Bailey, who is slated to take the mound tomorrow night when the Yankees visit the A’s. Each of Mike Fiers, Brett Anderson and Chris Bassitt have pitched well in 2019, and recently acquired righty Tanner Roark has a better track record than Bailey in recent years as well. Rosters are set to expand in September, which will give the A’s more flexibility with how they structure their pitching staff.
Manaea pitched that game yesterday, so he’s not coming up for tomorrow. They may give Anderson some time off after getting pulled with what looked like a blister, and that would have Manaea coming up to face the Giants next Sunday.
Manaea could get an extra two days of rest and take Bailey’s next start, especially if Bailey struggles tomorrow.
Put Anderson or Bailey on the 10 day DL with a hangnail to get a peak at Manea.
Reddick will get moved in the offseason to make room for Tucker.
Not without a significant showing by Tucker this September that he can perform in the bigs. Fool me once shame on me, fool me twice… I don’t even know how many times it’s been now- Wallace, Singleton, Fisher, Reed, and that’s only the 1b/of types in recent years.
Amen.
Reddick on the roster is exactly what is keeping Tucker from getting the opportunity to prove himself.
Trade Reddick, who is a very below average MLB rightfielder despite great defense.
Then they still have Straw, Brantley. Springer, and Marisnick on the roster to take the pressure off and step in if he has another poor showing.
Otherwise if they wait till 2021 springer, Brantley, and Marisnick are all free agents.
That leaves an outfield of Alvarez, Straw, and Tucker with none on the bench.
They already tried to trade Reddick last winter, but there were no takers. Both Brantley and Reddick will be free agents after the 2020 season so there will be room for Tucker in LF for the 2021 season (or possibly Myles Straw). Besides, they need Reddick for his defense in RF. Springer will likely move there in 2021 with Marisnick, an outstanding defender, replacing him in CF.
Marisnick is a free agent after 2020
Just like Springer, Brantley, and Reddick.
Haniger might be tough to deal unless he comes back late this year and shows something.
He’s got plenty of talent and I think a middle of the pack team would take a flier on him. Tons of talent, just needs help reaching his full potential.
He was a 6 WAR player last year, he’s reached his full potential. He was just striking out too much this season.
Haniger is fine.
Most of his peripherals a similar to last year, when he was a 6 WAR player. His K’s were up a little. But the biggest issue is BABIP. He’s been at ..257 this year. The previous two seasons, he was at .336-.338. That looks like simple bad luck in a small sample.
He’s a very good player. As soon as his huevos are structurally sound, he can rebuild some value.
The M’s have a GLUT of OFers, so a trade wouldn’t be that surprising. We currently have Haniger, Mallex Smith (CF), and Domingo Santana (RF) as the starters, with Braden Bishop (AAA), Jake Fraley (AAA), Kyle Lewis (AA), and Jarred Kelenic (AA) in the upper levels of the system. That’s the beginning of a logjam.
For a team that’s rebuilding, it would make sense to deal from that depth, and open up spots for younger guys. The M”s LOVE Haniger, but he’s definitely got the most trade value of that bunch. I’d be amazed if Dipoto doesn’t try to move Santana first, though.
Stats for Haniger should be listed as 2017-18 and not 2016-17.
DiPoto will be fired if Haniger is traded.
You think?
Among the dozens of trades he’s made in the last year or so, he’s traded James Paxton, Edwin Diaz, Robinson Cano, Jean Segura, Mike Zunino, etc.
Why is Haniger any different? As I mentioned above, the M’s have a lot of OF depth, and are rebuilding. They have at least one more bad season ahead before they can expect to contend. Trading him makes a lot of sense.
I wouldn’t be surprised if they held on to him for another year. They clearly like his performance and work ethic, and having a few vets around isn’t bad. But by the trade deadline next year, the M’s could very likely have an OF problem. Haniger is by far their best trade chip, particularly if he plays well to close out this season.
I have been opposed to trading Haniger but seeing what we have coming up if they can get a great haul from him do it. I understand he needs to build value to get a haul but either way he is s great player.
Mallex is another one that will be on the block probably next trade deadline. Hopefully he can continue hitting and stop making stupid mistakes. You think he would be over most of that.
The entire 2019 outfield should be available.
Use Tucker or trade him. Period.
You’re right. By age 22, prospects have entirely exhausted their growth and must either perform at the big league level or be dealt away. That’s why all those college seniors go straight to the majors after the draft. Helps weed them out.
Awesome