5 bold predictions for the Mariners in the 2021 season

MESA, ARIZONA - MARCH 03: Kyle Lewis #1 of the Seattle Mariners dives back to first base against the Chicago Cubs in the first inning on March 03, 2021 at Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
MESA, ARIZONA - MARCH 03: Kyle Lewis #1 of the Seattle Mariners dives back to first base against the Chicago Cubs in the first inning on March 03, 2021 at Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
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Mitch Haniger of the Mariners homers (France, Seager).
PEORIA, ARIZONA – MARCH 04: Mitch Haniger #17 of the Seattle Mariners hits a home run (France, Seager). (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Mitch Haniger returns to 2018 Mitch Haniger form but gets traded

In a recent sit down with the press, General Manager Jerry Dipoto said that Mitch Haniger is the Mariners best offensive player when he is healthy, and so far this Spring Haniger has looked perfectly healthy. The last full season that Haniger played was 2018 and he was fantastic, hitting a line of .285/.366/.493 with an .859 OPS, 26 home runs, a 6.2 WAR, and receiving his only All-Star Game selection.

With Haniger fully healthy, I see him replicating his 2018 season or getting close to it statically. However, this means that with every other general manager, knowing that the Mariners are committed to the youth movement and the 30-year-old Haniger hitting free agency in 2022, will come calling if they are competing and interested in an All-Star caliber right fielder.

The Mariners could also have a bidding war and receive some hefty offers that are too good to pass up, and the player that at one time looked like the young future of the franchise and seemed like the only player jersey you could get at the team store for about two years will be out the door.

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