Mariners Rumors: Trading Mitch Haniger to the Braves

Yeah, some of you are going to be upset. “Don’t trade Mitch, he’s too valuable. Clubhouse leader. 1.5 years control. We love Haniger” Guess what, I really enjoy having him on the Mariners as well. However, the Braves are in the playoff hunt as well, and could really use an outfielder.

In a way, Jerry Dipoto is like Bill Belichick. What I mean is that he is more likely to get rid of a guy a year early, than he is to wait until the last minute to trade him. He understands value better than most GMs when it comes to trades, and it’s rare to see him lose (on paper, that is) a trade.

If Atlanta called the Mariners with a great trade, they’d listen for Mitch Haniger.

Atlanta is too smart to sell the farm in order to acquire Haniger. They also aren’t in the same boat as San Diego, where they have a handful of good players that are blocked higher up the food chain. They still have a good amount of prospects and some that could be valuable to Seattle.

Would it make sense for a trade, though? Atlanta lost Ronald Acuna for the season, and Ozuna is away from the team, likely for the rest of the year (and possibly out of baseball forever.) They’re in need of outfield help, and sit just 5 games behind the Mets. The Mets, who have an injured Jacob DeGrom, that is.

Both teams are in a tough situation. If the Mariners play well over their homestead against Oakland and the seven-game set in general, then they would easily be buyers at the deadline (They went 3-1, so it’s possible). A bad homestand and they become sellers. The same holds for the Braves. They actually have a four-game set vs the Phillies (that they split) and a five-game set with the Mets, all on the road. At two games under .500, their buy/sell future could change quickly as well.

There are still rumors going around that Seattle could trade Haniger for the right price, and that Atlanta could be looking for outfield help. If, IF the Mariners struggle and the Braves play well over that time, then they could become sellers with Atlanta becoming buyers. It would make sense if it fell that way for these two to work something out. Supposing things do turn out that way, here are a few trades for Mitch Haniger the teams could try and swing.

Haniger still has 1.5 years of control left and is a great bat that can hit for average and power. He’d be a welcome fit in Atlanta, who have been struggling in the outfield lately. They traded for Joc Pederson, but have been running out Guillermo Heredia, Abraham Almonte, and Ehire Adrianza otherwise. That’s not a combo anyone wants.

In Muller, the Mariners could possibly get that starter that they could use in the Majors this season. He’s thrown a handful of games already, but the team could choose to give him experience in the bigs or let him season down in Tacoma.

Shewmake is 4th in their rankings, but not valued near as high in future value. A well-rounded middle infielder, the Mariners could try and put him at second for 2022. Hernandez brings the heat, and will likely touch 100 within a year or two. His fastball is his best pitch, and the slider can either make or break his outing. Solely a reliever, a controlled slider would make him a welcome addition to any pen.

CJ Alexander could possibly fill Seager’s shoes if he leaves, although he has some holes in his game. He is having trouble in AA this year, but has shown the ability to hit homers for the first time in six years. Shuster would be the main get here, with a solid K rate (11.5/9) and BB rate (2.6/9). His changeup is his best pitch, but has shown more heat on the fastball, sitting 92-95 and touching 97.

If things fall into the right frame, then the Braves and Mariners could be in a situation to try one of these trades. Let’s hope that the Mariners keep winning, and end up as small buyers at the deadline.