Report: D-Backs interested in trading for Mazara, Haniger
The Arizona Diamondbacks seek to upgrade their outfield this winter and have interest in both Nomar Mazara of the Texas Rangers and Mitch Haniger of the Seattle Mariners, according to Nick Piecoro of AZCentral.
Arizona general manager Mike Hazen is prioritizing upgrading the outfield this winter. Hazen indicated he's willing to deal minor-league talent to improve the big-league roster, though the team's top prospects may not be in play.
"I feel like we should be in a position to try to acquire good major-league players," Hazen said Monday, according to Piecoro. "That's going to take, in some cases, giving up good minor-league players. We are willing to do that."
Mazara hit .268/.318/.469 with 19 homers and 66 RBIs in 116 games for the Rangers last year. The left-handed batter displayed extreme platoon splits, though, posting a .844 OPS with 13 homers versus right-handers compared to .646 with six long balls against southpaws.
The 24-year-old is entering his second year of arbitration and is projected to earn $5.7 million in 2020, according to MLB Trade Rumors.
Mazara is one of a glut of left-handed-hitting outfielders on the Rangers, along with Shin-Soo Choo, Willie Calhoun, and Joey Gallo. Texas general manager Jon Daniels told Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News that at least one of the four could be dealt this winter.
Haniger, meanwhile, is a familiar name in Arizona. He made his debut with the D-Backs in 2016 but was traded to Seattle that winter in a five-player deal that brought Ketel Marte and Taijuan Walker to the desert. Seattle has reportedly expressed a willingness to part with Haniger.
The 28-year-old broke out with an All-Star season for the Mariners in 2018 but played just 63 games this past season due to a ruptured testicle that ended his campaign in June. Haniger owned a .778 OPS and 15 home runs before the injury and is projected to make $3 million in 2020, his first year of arbitration.
The D-Backs' pursuit of outfield help isn't limited to trades, as they've also been reportedly connected to free agents Nicholas Castellanos and Marcell Ozuna.