Mariners: 3 Potentially surprising landing spots for Mitch Haniger

SEATTLE, WA - JUNE 11: Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto watches batting practice before a game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on June 11, 2016 in Seattle, Washington. The Rangers won the game 2-1 in eleven innings. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - JUNE 11: Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto watches batting practice before a game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on June 11, 2016 in Seattle, Washington. The Rangers won the game 2-1 in eleven innings. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
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3. Arizona Diamondbacks

PHOENIX, AZ – OCTOBER 02: Mitch Haniger #19 of the Arizona Diamondbacks looks at the third base coach before batting against the San Diego Padres in the second inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on October 2, 2016, in Phoenix, Arizona. The Arizona Diamondbacks defeated the San Diego Padres 3-2. (Photo by Darin Wallentine/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – OCTOBER 02: Mitch Haniger #19 of the Arizona Diamondbacks looks at the third base coach before batting against the San Diego Padres in the second inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on October 2, 2016, in Phoenix, Arizona. The Arizona Diamondbacks defeated the San Diego Padres 3-2. (Photo by Darin Wallentine/Getty Images)

I know. It’s weird to think about right? Could Mitch Haniger really head back to the desert of Arizona? Well, probably not. But it may not be as ridiculous as we think. Quick, how many games did the Diamondbacks win this season? Did you guess 85? Probably not. But that’s the truth.

Led by former Mariner Ketel Marte, as well as Carson Kelly, and Eduardo Escobar, the Diamondbacks are in an interesting position. After losing numerous veterans in one off-season, the Diamondbacks reloaded their farm system and it has quickly become a real strength.

But they don’t have the best outfield in the world, relying on Steve Souza Jr. and David Peralta to handle their corner outfield spots in 2020 (at least right now). Haniger is an upgrade over both and with 3-years of club control, it allows the D-Backs to not feel like they need to win this season.

With their crop of prospects and solid stop-gap options on the MLB level, a package to send Haniger back to the desert could be a reality. Jake Lamb, Robbie Ray, or Taijuan Walker could make sense as an MLB piece in this deal. Or a prospect like Corbin Carroll, J.B. Bukauskas, and Corbin Martin could also be solid building blocks of a trade.

We don’t know how the Diamondbacks see themselves in 2020, but if they think they can make the playoffs in 2020 or 2021, Haniger could be a nice fit for Arizona.

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