Jeff PassanESPN
The San Francisco Giants agreed to phrases with outfielder Mitch Haniger, the workforce introduced Tuesday, filling a gap within the Giants’ outfield as they proceed their free agent pursuit of American League MVP Aaron Decide.
The deal is for 3 years and $43.5 million and features a participant opt-out after the second yr, sources advised ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Haniger, who turns 32 later this month, has posted star-caliber numbers within the two seasons he has been wholesome, however has struggled with accidents all through his main league profession, most of which he spent in Seattle. With the Mariners final season, he hit .246/.308/.429 with 11 house runs and 34 RBIs in 57 video games, serving to propel the workforce to its first playoff berth in twenty years.
One season earlier, Haniger confirmed the form of expertise that led the Giants to think about a multiyear deal at $14.5 million a season. He hit 39 house runs, good for fifth within the AL, and drove in 100 runs whereas posting 3.9 Wins Above Substitute over 157 video games, in line with Baseball-Reference.
The Giants’ offseason started with outfielder Joc Pederson accepting a $19.65 million qualifying supply. It continues with Haniger and will embrace Decide, who final yr spent a majority of his time in heart subject however has performed most of his profession in proper. Together with Haniger and Mike Yastrzemski, Decide might be a part of the outfield whereas Pederson spends most of his time at designated hitter.
Lengthy a fan favourite and chief in Seattle, Haniger joined the Mariners in November 2016, when Arizona — which drafted him within the first spherical of the 2012 draft — traded him together with Jean Segura for infielder/outfielder Ketel Marte and pitcher Taijuan Walker.
Haniger instantly produced for Seattle, placing up an OPS of .843 in his first season. His finest yr got here in 2018, when he performed 157 video games and hit .285/.366/.493 with 26 house runs and performed nicely above-average protection in proper subject.
The following season, in 2019, Haniger suffered a ruptured testicle after a foul ball took an unlucky carom. The harm stored him out for the rest of the season, and he missed important time with again and core accidents, not taking part in in 2020.
His 2021 return was hailed in Seattle, the place Haniger helped steer the Mariners to the cusp of the postseason with a bevy of clutch hits. He’ll now slot into the center of a Giants lineup that ranked eleventh in baseball in runs scored, however may see some adjustments to the infield this offseason with first baseman Brandon Belt and Evan Longoria testing free company.
