As it stands now, Mitch Haniger is the biggest prize of the Giants offseason.
The Mountain View native and Mitty High School product signed a three-year, $43.5 million contract with San Francisco last week, one that includes a player option for 2025, as the Giants have struck out on nine-figure negotiations with players like Aaron Judge, Brandon Nimmo and Xander Bogaerts. There’s still time for the Giants to ink big-time free agents like shortstop Carlos Correa or southpaw Carlos Rodón, but Haniger is the crown jewel for now.
Haniger said the Giants expressed interest early in free agency and made him feel like a wanted commodity.
“Everything seemed to lineup really well with what I envisioned,” Haniger said in a conference call with reporters Monday. “Luckily, everything worked out perfect. I couldn’t be more excited to be a Giant. Basically, just hoping to bring another World Series championship back to San Francisco.”
Haniger grew up watching Barry Bonds and Jeff Kent, before cheering for the squad during the Buster Posey-Tim Lincecum glory days of the late 2000s and early 2010s.
Haniger will turn 32 on Dec. 23 after playing in just 57 games due to back and ankle injuries. He has been productive when on the field, as he posted an OPS+ of 139 in his All-Star 2018 campaign when he slashed .285/.366/.493 with 26 homers and 93 RBIs. After overcoming a 2019 ruptured testicle that led to back and core injuries that wiped out his 2020 campaign, Haniger played 157 games in 2021, posting career highs in homers (39) and RBIs (100) for the Mariners.
Haniger said he heard nothing but good things about San Francisco’s support staff, which contributed to his decision to sign.
“I think I’ve had some bad luck and some fluke injuries,” Haniger said. “At the same time, I’ve tried to learn from them and try to make sure I can do whatever I can to stay healthy, stay on the field and stay productive. For me, I’ve always felt like if I’m healthy, I’m able to produce really well. The goal is to be one of the best outfielders of the game.”
Though Haniger made a public plea for Judge to join him in San Francisco, the slugging outfielder elected to stay with the New York Yankees the following day. Haniger said the Giants didn’t sell him on the idea that he might be able to share the outfield with the hulking star.
“When I was talking to Farhan Zaidi and Kap (Gabe Kapler), it was about me and it wasn’t really so much about Aaron,” Haniger said. “But I knew. They had told me they wanted to sign two outfielders and I open my phone every day and I see that the Giants were going after Judge, so I knew that the Giants and Yankees were the two biggest players in on him. I told them, like, soon as I sign here I’ll do what I can to recruit this guy.”
Alas, the Yankees matched the Giants offer of nine years, $360 million and he elected to stay put in the Bronx. Haniger added that it’s hard to nail down why high-priced free agents like Judge and Bryce Harper have shunned San Francisco in recent years, as many conclude that the ballpark is unwelcome for hitters.
“At the end of the day, you’re gonna miss out on some guys,” Haniger said. “Whether preference, East Coast/West Coast, there’s a whole bunch of factors. It’s really difficult to say what it might be. I would say, in Judge’s scenario, if you’ve played and had success with an organization, it can be kinda daunting or difficult to wanna leave.”
Despite manager Gabe Kapler’s tendency to ride with matchup-based numbers and rely on a platoon-heavy lineup, Haniger thinks his ability to play both corner outfield spots and moonlight in center will keep him in the batting order. Throughout his career, Haniger is slashing .255/.328/.467 against righties and .277/.353/.500 against southpaws.
“I don’t see myself as a platoon player,” Haniger said. “I know I can handle hitting right-handed pitching. I’ve done it my whole career.”
