Mariners decide to end the Mitch Haniger era by releasing him

Mitch Haniger’s second spell with the Seattle Mariners is over, after the organization decided to part company with the outfielder.

Sunday was a tough day for the Seattle Mariners organization, as they announced the release of Mitch Haniger. The outfielder is in the final season of a three-year, $43.5 million deal which he signed while with the San Francisco Giants.

Haniger had unsurprisingly exercised his player option of $15.5 million for the 2025 season back in November. but now the Mariners have decided to eat the remaining year. He has not played since early March due to shoulder soreness, but even before then he had looked poor in seven spring training games.

This shouldn’t be perceived as some attempt to denigrate the 34-year-old, who had some special moments with the Mariners, mostly during his first tenure with the team between 2016-2022. Highlights include a first All-Star selection and career-highs of a 6.5 WAR and .859 OPS in 2018, along with single-season bests of 39 home runs and 100 RBI in 2021.

Haniger deserves credit for being one of the best Mariners when it comes to producing at T-Mobile Park since 2013, with his .779 OPS ranking third behind only Nelson Cruz and Robinson Canó. (Minimum 500 plate appearances.) He is also the franchise’s all-time leader with eight walk-off hits.

Haniger proud of his time in Seattle

The 2012 first round draft pick provided a statement which was released alongside the news of his departure. He said:

“Putting on a Mariners uniform and playing at T-Mobile Park is something I’ll cherish forever. To our fans, my teammates, and everyone a part of this organization, thank you for embracing my family and me. We have so many great memories to look back on.”

President of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto also released a statement, on behalf of the Mariners organization. He said:

“Mitch has been a significant part of Mariners history and will be missed. The day he arrived for his first spring training back in 2017, he established himself as one of the most focused, prepared, and hardest working players I’ve ever been around. We all appreciate the many ways he’s made us all better, on the field and off.”

Haniger left the Mariners, following a 2022 season when he helped the team return to the playoffs for the first time since 2001. However, he was traded back to Seattle ahead of the 2024 campaign, as part of the return package for Robbie Ray.

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Not the same since his return to the Mariners

The Mountain View, California native has struggled with injuries throughout his time in the Majors, although somewhat ironically the 121 games he played for the Mariners last year were the third-most of his career. Unfortunately for everyone concerned though he had poor offensive production, as evidenced by career lows with a -0.2 WAR, .208 batting average and .620 OPS.

In truth, things started to fall into place for the Mariners during spring training following Haniger’s injury, with Rowdy Tellez in particular proving himself. Now, one of the most well-liked players on the team will be looking elsewhere for another opportunity.

Certainly Haniger will be missed by everyone in Seattle, with Mariners manager Dan Wilson summing up the sentiment about him. As per Manny Randhawa of MB.com, Wilson said:

“I personally thank him for what he’s given this organization — he’s given this organization a lot of leadership over the years and there’s a lot of guys in that clubhouse who have benefited from Hanny and what he’s brought to the team over the course of a lot of years.”

Do you agree with the decision to release Haniger? What are your best memories from his time with the Seattle Mariners? Let us know in the comments section below.