We all know which outfielder is at the top of the Giants’ offseason wishlist, but who else are they keeping tabs on?
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic is reporting that free agent right fielder Mitch Haniger, formally of the Seattle Mariners, is high enough on Farhan Zaidi’s OF big board that he is “drawing attention” from San Francisco. The Texas Rangers are also interested according to Rosenthal.
Haniger, 31, is a right-handed bat that could platoon with the left-handed LaMonte Wade Jr. in RF next season depending on who else the Giants bring in. The Mountain View native’s 2022 slash line of .246/.308/.429 isn’t eye-popping, but when combined with above-average defense and better career numbers (.261/.335/.476) he becomes a more intriguing target. Haniger also launched 39 home runs in 2021 and was an All-Star in 2018.
Defense is a priority for the Giants this winter, so players with skills at the plate and in the field will be very enticing to the Orange and Black. It’s why the Giants have also been linked to the likes of Cody Bellinger and Brandon Nimmo.
Of course, the Giants are hoping Aaron Judge is the one patrolling right field for them for the next decade, but adding a few other two-way outfielders couldn’t hurt either.
