Cleveland Indians: 5 outfielders to target at MLB trade deadline

Cleveland Indians Trade Target #5: Mitch Haniger, Seattle Mariners

Like the Cleveland Indians, it still remains to be seen where the Seattle Mariners will land at the trade deadline. They could decide to add starting pitching and make a run or they could opt to sell. They might even end up doing a bit of both. One such player on the fringe of that decision will be Mitch Haniger.

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On an affordable salary of $3.01 million this year, Haniger has one year of arbitration remaining on his deal in Seattle. If they do move Haniger, they could be looking for starting pitcher or a second baseman. This is where Cleveland could capitalize and save money.

The Tribe have a handful of middle infield options in the minors they could opt to move or they could shake up the league and deal Cesar Hernandez for Haniger. That would save a couple million and would solve a problem for both teams.

Haniger would return next year in arbitration and the Mariners could opt to keep Hernandez on his option for $6 million. It would also open the door for Gabriel Arias to break into the majors in Cleveland at second.

This doesn’t seem like a full commitment to buying or selling for either side. It’s more so fixing one problem with the hope that you aren’t creating another. Haniger would be a massive upgrade in the outfield, but would it leave a hole at second?