Seattle Mariners and Mitch Haniger Part 2: If not Mitch then who?

2022 might be the end for the current longest-tenured Seattle Mariners player, Mitch Haniger. If he leaves, who would replace him?

If this sounds familiar, it’s only because Seattle Mariners fans have heard it since last season. No, it’s not about missing the playoffs. This is about saying goodbye to their longest-tenured player. In 2021, it was Kyle Seager. This season might very well be Mitch Haniger‘s last in the Emerald City.

His contract is up at the end of this season. When that date might be exactly is anyone’s guess. Hopefully, it won’t come until sometime in late October or early November.

If he goes, Haniger’s farewell won’t be nearly as emotional as Seager’s was. Seager was an institution in Seattle for over a decade.

However, it still will be a sad day. Haniger is a popular player with fans and teammates. He will also be a part of the Seattle Mariners team that broke the organization’s 21-year playoff drought.

Seattle Mariners won’t bring him back because…

Mitch is currently out with an injury. What a shocker. He’s been injured far too often during his time with the M’s.

Over the past four seasons, he’s played in only 59% of Seattle Mariners games. When Haniger plays 90 or more games in a season, he’s produced at an All-Star level. Well, at least an All-Star because every team needs someone.

Unfortunately, he’s had some serious injuries. And in some instances, freak ones too. The big injury in 2019 should happen to no man. These injuries have cost him long chunks of playing time. And, in some instances, an entire season.

Father time comes for everyone. As an athlete gets older, they don’t typically get healthier. Sometimes the best ability is availability.