Mariners' shocking Mitch Haniger release, other cuts provide clarity for Opening Day roster

As the Seattle Mariners inch closer to Opening Day, they continue to finalize their roster, making a series of moves that signal both the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter. However, the most shocking decision came Sunday morning when the Mariners released beloved outfielder Mitch Haniger.

For Mariners fans, Haniger’s departure marks a bittersweet moment. He wasn't just a player — he was a symbol of resilience, grit, and the team’s gradual rise from mediocrity to contention. His name is forever linked to Jerry Dipoto as one of the more fruitful acquisitions the Mariners' President of Baseball Operations made after taking over in 2015. Haniger lived up to the hype, delivering countless clutch moments, including his club-record eighth walk-off hit in August 2024.

After signing with the Giants in 2023, Haniger returned to Seattle in a trade for Robbie Ray, a once-dominant ace recovering from Tommy John surgery. The move was seen as a necessary shake-up for both clubs, yet neither player truly regained their past form.

Haniger, battling injuries and inconsistency, opted into his final contract year, locking in a hefty payday. By releasing him, the Mariners essentially burned $15.5 million in payroll, a move that stings financially but clears the way for the emergence of Rowdy Tellez — a player who has quickly tugged at the heartstrings of the fanbase.

Haniger's departure sets up a Rowdy Tellez success story

Tellez’s journey since beginning the spring as a non-roster invitee is shaping up to be one of the best feel-good stories of the Mariners' season. The power-hitting lefty has always been a streaky player, but his red-hot spring performance — where he has shown an improved approach against both lefties and righties — has him lined up to take Haniger's roster spot. He projects to be the team’s primary designated hitter while also seeing time at first base, allowing Luke Raley to rotate between first base and a backup outfield role.

While Haniger’s departure is a tough pill to swallow, the Mariners’ willingness to eat his salary shows a commitment to optimizing their roster rather than clinging to sentimentality.

Along with the Haniger news, the Mariners have also announced other cuts:

Optioned to Triple-A Tacoma:

• Austin Shenton, INF
• Dominic Canzone, OF
• Casey Legumina, RHP
• Blake Hunt, C
• Leo Rivas, INF

Re-assigned to Minor League Camp:

• Logan Evans, RHP
• Shintaro Fujinami, RHP
• Brandyn Garcia, LHP
• Harry Ford, C

Released:

• Jesse Hahn, RHP
• Drew Pomeranz, LHP

While Shenton and Canzone were longshots to make the club, Evans was one of the more intriguing names in camp. A top pitching prospect with a projected 2025 ETA, Evans was never likely to crack Seattle’s star-studded rotation this year, but he could develop into a valuable multi-inning bullpen weapon down the road.

Meanwhile, Fujinami’s demotion raises bigger questions about the Mariners’ bullpen construction. The team gave the hard-throwing righty a long look this spring, but his reassignment to minor league camp suggests that the front office doesn't see him making an immediate impact in the bullpen.

Will the Mariners' bullpen look any different from last years?

Heading into spring training, the Mariners realistically had only one or two bullpen spots up for grabs. Given how the relief corps ran out of gas last season, a shake-up seemed inevitable. The front office responded by adding a mix of intriguing arms, including Hahn, Legumina, Will Klein, Hagen Danner, Neftali Feliz, and Seth Martinez. They've also sang the praises and hinted at the use of Garcia this season. Yet, as camp winds down, it appears that very little may actually change.

Longtime beat writer Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times predicted in early February that Seattle might roll out nearly the same bullpen from 2024, and the numbers suggest he may be right.

Here’s what his Mariners’ projected bullpen looked like:

• Andrés Muñoz, RHP
• Gregory Santos, RHP
• Collin Snider, RHP
• Eduard Bazardo, RHP
• Trent Thornton, RHP
• Cody Bolton, RHP
• Tayler Saucedo, LHP
• Gabe Speier, LHP

This does not include Troy Taylor (recovering from a lat strain) and Matt Brash (still working his way back from Tommy John surgery), both of whom are targeting returns in April. Their eventual reintegration could push Bazardo and Speier off the roster again, barring injuries.

For all the talk of bullpen reinforcements, the Mariners may be sticking to a familiar formula: a revolving-door approach, shuttling arms between Seattle and Tacoma throughout the season to keep the group fresh. It's a strategy they’ve used in recent years, but whether it will hold up remains unproven.

With these moves, the Mariners' roster plans provide more clarity, but questions remain — particularly in the bullpen. The departure of a franchise staple like Haniger is a reminder that baseball at its core, ist still very much a business. Now, all eyes shift to Tellez and the bullpen as Seattle looks to make a statement in 2025.