3 trades Braves must make in the next 24 hours
By John Buhler
2. player. 62. Scouting Report. RF. Seattle Mariners. Mitch Haniger. Pick Analysis
If the Mariners are selling Mitch Haniger, the Braves better be buying
Despite being very much in the AL Wild Card mix, the Seattle Mariners shockingly traded one of the best relief pitchers in Kendall Graveman to the division rival Houston Astros. Seattle is only two games back of the Oakland Athletics for the second AL Wild Card spot. Keep in mind this is a team that has not qualified for the MLB postseason since 2001. What are the Mariners doing?
That controversial move sent shock waves through the clubhouse, as the Mariners thought they were competing this year. If Seattle is indeed selling at the deadline, Atlanta would be foolish not to inquire about right fielder Mitch Haniger‘s availability. As with Duvall, Haniger would provide power from the right side of the plate and could play multiple positions in the Atlanta outfield.
Trading for Haniger would be for multiple years. He is arbitration-eligible this winter and will not be hitting free agency until 2023. So for one of their top outfield prospects, Atlanta could have a former All-Star in a corner outfield position with 30-home run power. Haniger has 25 dingers and 62 runs batted in on the season. Of course, the Braves will have to pay a premium to acquire him.
If the Braves want to massively upgrade their outfield on the fly, adding Haniger would do that.