All-Star Outfielder, First-Time Free Agent On The Radar Of Giants, Rangers

Hector Santiago Seattle Mariners — The Seattle Mariners could still welcome back Mitch Haniger but likely on a cheaper deal. Quinn Harris/Getty Images

KEY POINTS

The Giants and the Rangers are looking to fill the outfielder void with Mitch Haniger
Haniger could still return to Mariners if the All-Star outfielder is still available
Injuries have made it difficult for Haniger to maintain a consistent performance in Seattle

Mitch Haniger of the Seattle Mariners heads into a period of uncertainty after not being handed a qualifying offer for 2023.

The 31-year-old All-Star heads into the offseason to check where he could play next MLB season. Haniger was part of the Mariners team that lost to the Houston Astros in Gamer 3 of the American League Division Series, a development that ended their season.

Mariners President of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto said during the General Managers Meeting in Las Vegas that they would not extend a qualifying offer to Haniger, making him eligible for free agency, MLB.com reported.

However, Dipoto is not entirely closing the door and explained that they will exert all efforts to try and bring back the All-Star outfielder.

"We've been in touch with Mitch, and our hope is to work something out and have him come back. As we expected, obviously, he's now a free agent, and we knew that was going to be part of this. But before he ever reaches free agency, we will continue to be in contact throughout. Our goal is to bring him back. It remains to be seen whether that's a reality," the Mariners executive explained.

Although it appeared that Hanniger would be handed a qualifying offer since he is considered one of the premier power-hitting outfielders, injuries have hampered his run. This prevented him from playing more than 100 games in four of his six seasons with Seattle.

Despite these facts, at least two MLB teams are reportedly considering the 31-year-old player.

The San Francisco Giants and the Texas Rangers are considering Haniger, according to sources cited by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. This interest is something meant to address their outfield problems last season.

Despite struggling with the injury bug, Haniger hit .246/.308/.429 with 11 home runs and 34 RBIs in 57 games for the Mariners last season.

When healthy and at his best, Haniger is a reliable player, slashing .261/.335/.476 with 112 homers, 109 doubles, and 323 RBIs in 564 career games.

The best year for the California native was 2018. At the time, he posted a .859 OPS (139 OPS+), finishing eleventh in American League MVP voting.

The first-time free agent also played for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2016 before he was traded to the Mariners alongside Jean Segura and Zac Curtis for Taijuan Walker and Ketel Marte on Nov. 23.