Haniger’s 6 seasons with Mariners highlighted by All-Star appearance, bringing Postseason baseball back to Seattle
PEORIA, Ariz. — The Mariners announced today the release of outfielder Mitch Haniger.
“Mitch has been a significant part of Mariners history and will be missed,” Mariners President of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto said. “The day he arrived for his first spring training back in 2017, he established himself as one of the most focused, prepared, and hardest working players I’ve ever been around. We all appreciate the many ways he’s made us all better, on the field and off.”
“Putting on a Mariners uniform and playing at T-Mobile Park is something I’ll cherish forever,” Mitch Haniger said. “To our fans, my teammates, and everyone a part of this organization, thank you for embracing my family and me. We have so many great memories to look back on.”
Haniger, 34, appeared in 6 seasons (2017–19, ’21–22, ’24) with the Mariners. He made the American League All-Star team in 2018, received AL MVP votes in both 2018 and 2021, and in 2022 helped the Mariners to their first Postseason berth since 2001. Haniger’s 60 home runs at T-Mobile Park rank 5th-most in ballpark history. His 8 walk-offs are most in Mariners history.
After making his Major League debut with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2016, Haniger was acquired by the Mariners in a trade with Arizona on Nov. 23, 2016. He was acquired along with INF Jean Segura and LHP Zac Curtis in exchange for INF Ketel Marte and Taijuan Walker. Haniger made his Mariners debut on April 3, 2017 at Houston and in 96 games that season hit .282 (104×369) with 58 runs, 25 doubles, 2 triples, 16 home runs, 47 RBI and 31 walks with an .843 OPS.
Haniger’s breakout campaign came in 2018 for the Mariners, making the AL All-Star team and amassing 6.5 Wins Above Replacement (Baseball-Reference) in 157 games. He hit .285 (170×596) with 90 runs, 38 doubles, 4 triples, 26 homers, 93 RBI, 8 stolen bases and 70 walks with an .859 OPS, finishing 11th in the AL MVP voting that season. He was limited to 63 games in 2019 due to injuries, and opted out of the shortened 2020 season.
In 2021, Haniger registered career-highs in home runs (39), RBI (100) and runs scored (110), finishing 20th in the AL MVP voting. The right fielder’s 39 homers were the 2nd-most by a player who did not appear in a game the previous year, trailing only Hall of Famer Willie Mays’ 41 home runs in 1954, while ranking ahead of Hall of Famer Ted Williams’ 38 home runs in 1946.
In 2022, Haniger helped lead the Mariners to a Postseason berth. He hit safely in each of Seattle’s 5 Postseason games, starting and playing every inning in right field for Seattle’s playoff run against Toronto (ALWC) and Houston (ALDS). Haniger signed with the San Francisco Giants as a free agent on Dec. 6, 2022 and appeared in 61 games with San Francisco in 2023.
On Jan. 5, 2024, the Mariners reacquired Mitch from San Francisco, along with RHP Anthony DeSclafani and cash considerations, in exchange for LHP Robbie Ray. In the debut of his second stint with the Mariners, Haniger homered in the second at-bat of his return on Opening Day on March 28, 2024 off Brayan Bello of the Red Sox.
The California native was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 1st round (38th overall) of the 2012 MLB First-Year Player Draft out of Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo. He attended Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose, California.