BREAKING: Seattle Mariners are rejecting their star player for a very good reason.
Here’s a rephrased version:
The decline of Mitch Haniger with the Seattle Mariners has been disappointing. After rejoining the team in a trade with the San Francisco Giants this offseason, there was optimism that he could fill the void left by Teoscar Hernandez’s departure and regain his previous form in familiar surroundings. However, things haven’t gone as hoped.
In 244 at-bats, Haniger has only managed a .213 batting average with six home runs and 30 RBIs. Despite having more RBIs than Julio Rodriguez, his .608 OPS and -0.7 WAR reflect his struggles. Defensively, he has a poor UZR of -6.0 and an OPS+ of 78, well below average.
Currently, Haniger finds himself in a diminished role, not starting any of the recent series against the Tampa Bay Rays. His playing time has decreased significantly, especially against left-handed pitchers where he’s batting just .154. His future with the team seems tied to a hefty $17.5 million player option for 2025, though continued poor performance might force the Mariners to reconsider his role.
You might want to check out a recent podcast snippet from Jason Churchill (@ProspectInsider) on Mitch Levy’s show for more insights.
Tough stuff from @ProspectInsider & @JoeDoyleMiLB on this week's new #Mariners No-Table.
Link to the full segment on our new Ep 293 is below. https://t.co/jvi9LezjNa pic.twitter.com/MufhYkSFjy
— Mitch Levy (@Mitch_Seattle) June 25, 2024
It’s really tough because Mitch Haniger has been such a beloved figure in recent Mariners history. He rose through the ranks alongside icons like Felix Hernandez, Robinson Cano, and Nelson Cruz during the team’s competitive years. Despite enduring injuries and setbacks, he remained loyal through the team’s rebuilding phases.
Haniger’s standout 39-home run season in 2021 nearly propelled the Mariners to the playoffs, and he was there to witness the team finally break their postseason drought in 2022. His contributions to the Mariners over the years have been significant, but unfortunately, his current performance isn’t reflecting that.
It’s a hard situation to witness for fans and the organization alike.
By the way, the Mariners will face the Minnesota Twins on Friday at 6:40 p.m. PT.