Mitch Haniger reaches three-year, $43.5M deal with Giants

Associated PressDec 7, 2022, 12:06 AM EST
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SAN DIEGO – Outfielder Mitch Haniger and the San Francisco Giants agreed on a three-year, $43.5 million contract at the winter meetings.

A native of nearby Mountain View, Haniger is coming home to the Bay Area after five seasons with Seattle. He helped the Mariners reach the playoffs for the first time since 2001.

The deal came while the Giants pursue another Californian free agent outfielder – Aaron Judge, who set the AL home run record last season with the New York Yankees.

“I’m probably not going to comment on that today,” said Farhan Zaidi, the president of baseball operations for San Francisco. “Obviously, there’s been stuff out there. It’s really noisy.”

San Francisco missed the playoffs at 81-81 this past season on the heels of a franchise-record 107 wins and an NL West title in 2021.

The club announced that Haniger receives a $6 million signing bonus and the deal includes an opt-out following the 2024 season. He is set to earn $5 million in 2023, $17 million in 2024 and $15.5 million in ’25. He would get a one-time assignment bonus of $1 million if he is traded during the term of the contract.

The 31-year-old Haniger had a career season in 2021 with 39 home runs, 100 RBIs and 110 runs scored while matching his most games played at 157.

In an injury-shortened year, he batted .246 in 2022 with 11 homers in 57 games missing time with a sprained right ankle and a stint on the COVID-19 injured list. He went 5 for 21 for with two doubles in five playoff games for the Mariners.

“He had interest from the outset of free agency,” Zaidi said. “He’s a guy who was in demand. Right-handed power, really good all-around player, has a good reputation in the game.”

As has long been part of San Francisco’s contract structuring, Haniger will make an annual donation to the Giants Community Fund – $55,000 next year, $85,000 in 2024 and $77,500 in ’25.

The Giants haven’t been able to sign the marquee free agents in recent seasons, missing out on stars such as Bryce Harper and years ago Vladimir Guerrero, but ownership and the front office have been outspoken about the ability to adjust payroll as needed to build a winning roster.

Orioles sign OF Aaron Hicks, put Cedric Mullins on 10-day IL with groin strain

Associated PressMay 31, 2023, 11:07 AM EDT
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BALTIMORE — The Baltimore Orioles signed outfielder Aaron Hicks less than 24 hours after Cedric Mullins went down with a strained right groin.

Mullins went on the 10-day injured list, but the Orioles are hoping Hicks can help defensively in the spacious outfield at Camden Yards. Hicks was released last week by the New York Yankees with more than 2 1/2 seasons left on his contract.

“We had noticed that he was a free agent even before the injury,” Orioles general manager Mike Elias said. “When the injury occurred and it became pretty clear this was going to be an IL, it seemed like a good fit even more so at that time.”

The Orioles are responsible for paying Hicks just $483,871, a prorated share of the $720,000 minimum salary. The Yankees owe him the rest of his $10.5 million salary this year, plus $9.5 million in each of the next two seasons and a $1 million buyout of a 2026 team option.

The 33-year-old Hicks hit just .188 in 28 games for the Yankees this year.

“We have stuff that we look at from a scouting and evaluation perspective,” Elias said. “It’s very different from just looking at the back of a baseball card, and we hope that we get a bounceback from anyone we bring here.”

Hicks batted .216 last season.

“Hopefully that’s a good thing for him,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said of the Baltimore deal. “A lot of time here and a lot of good things happened for him here. I know the last couple of years have been a struggle. But hopefully it’s a good opportunity for him and certainly wish him well. Not too well being in our division and a team we’re chasing, but hopefully it’s a really good fit for him.”

Mullins left a loss to Cleveland after he pulled up while running out an infield grounder. Outfielder Colton Cowser – the fifth pick in the draft two years ago – is hitting .331 at Triple-A Norfolk, but he went on the IL in the past couple weeks.

“Certainly he was building a case towards promotion consideration prior to his injury and prior to Cedric’s injury,” Elias said. “We’ll just see where we’re at.”

Hicks was active for the game but not in the starting lineup. Austin Hays, normally Baltimore’s left field, was in Mullins’ usual spot in center.

When the wall in left at Camden Yards was pushed significantly back before last season, it made left field a bigger challenge defensively.

“In this park … you really need two center fielders,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “Aaron’s got a lot of center-field experience. Played left field here before also. Brings the defensive aspect and then the switch-hitting.”