MLB Rumors: 4 Teams Reported As Top Suitors For Mitch Haniger

After the Seattle Mariners went out and traded for right-fielder Teoscar Hernandez last week, it left the writing on the wall for the future of their longtime RF Mitch Haniger. Now a free agent, he is peddling his wares around the league, and the latest reports have four teams as suitors for the slugger—all of them with plenty of money to spend.

Sources: #Dodgers and #Angels showing interest in free agent OF Mitch Haniger. The #Rangers, as first reported by @Ken_Rosenthal, also are among the most active suitors for Haniger.

Of note, Haniger has a career .846 OPS at Angel Stadium. @MLBNetwork @MLB

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 21, 2022

Insider Ken Rosenthal dropped the news Sunday night that the Texas Rangers and San Francisco Giants have shown interest in Haniger, while fellow Insider Jon Morosi reports this morning that the Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Angels are also in on the soon-to-be 32-year-old power bat.

Haniger missed more than half the season with a sprained right ankle, then returned to the Mariners in August and batted .254 with eight homers and a .740 OPS. In 2021, though, he showed the massive power that he can provide, slugging 39 HR along with 100 RBIs and an .804 OPS, closer to his career mark. He was an All-Star in 2018 after an .859 OPS and 26 HR. 

The Dodgers are looking for an outfield replacement for Cody Bellinger, while the Angels simply need to improve their outfield depth and power potential outside of Mike Trout.

The Giants and Rangers are also both looking to improve their power production in the outfield. 

Haniger is predicted to be able to land a contract in the 3-year, $39M range, but because of his injury-wracked season in 2022, might prefer to sign a one-year, or something with an opt-out, so that he can re-establish his value and re-enter free agency next year. 

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