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Jeff PassanGAME
The San Francisco Giants agree to deal with midfielder Mitch Hanigerthe team announced on Tuesday, filling a hole in the Giants’ field as they continue their pursuit of the American League MVP freestyle player Judge Aaron.
The deal is for three years and $43.5 million and includes a player opt-out after the second year, sources told ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Haniger, who turns 32 later this month, has hit big numbers in the two seasons he’s been healthy, but has struggled with injuries throughout his big playing career. most of the time he spent in Seattle. with sailor Last season, he hit 0.246/.308/.429 with 11 home runs and 34 RBIs in 57 games, helping take the team to its first playoff berth in two decades.
A season earlier, Haniger had shown talent that made the Giants consider a multi-year deal at $14.5 million a season. He has hit 39 home runs, is 5th in the AL, and has driven in 100 runs while posting 3.9 Wins on Substitute in 157 games, according to Baseball-Reference.
The Giants’ season begins with midfield Joc Pederson accepted a qualified offer of $19.65 million. It continues with Haniger and could include Judge, who last year spent most of his time at center but has played most of his career on the right wing. With Haniger and Mike YastrzemskiThe Judge can be part of the outfield while Pederson spends most of his time with the designated hitter.
A longtime fan favorite and leader in Seattle, Haniger joined the Mariners in November 2016, when arizona — drafted him in the first round of the 2012 draft — traded him with Jean Segura for midfielder/midfielder Ketel Marte and vase Taiwan Walker.
Haniger immediately produced for Seattle, scoring an OPS of 0.843 in his first season. His best year came in 2018, when he played 157 games and scored 0.285/.366/.493 with 26 home runs and played well above average defensively in the right half.
The following season, in 2019, Haniger suffered a ruptured testicle after a nasty tackle in an unfortunate game of carom. Injuries keep him out for the rest of the season, and he’s missed significant time with back and core injuries, not playing in 2020.
His return in 2021 was hailed in Seattle, where Haniger helped steer the Mariners to the climax of the post-season with a series of clutch strikes. He will now be in the middle of the Giants line up 11th in baseball in terms of runs scored, but could see some changes to the field this season with the first pitcher. Brandon Belts and Evan Longoria free agent testing.
