BoSox Injection
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A potential trade target for every need on the Red Sox roster

By Daniel Fox

BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 24: Craig Kimbrel #46 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates his teams 4-2 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game Two of the 2018 World Series at Fenway Park on October 24, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - OCTOBER 24: Craig Kimbrel #46 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates his teams 4-2 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game Two of the 2018 World Series at Fenway Park on October 24, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – OCTOBER 02: Mitch Haniger #17 of the Seattle Mariners reacts after beating the Los Angeles Angels 6-4 at T-Mobile Park on October 02, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – OCTOBER 02: Mitch Haniger #17 of the Seattle Mariners reacts after beating the Los Angeles Angels 6-4 at T-Mobile Park on October 02, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /

Red Sox outfield target: Mitch Haniger

Just hours before MLB entered into this never-ending lockout, the Red Sox shocked the baseball world by dealing Hunter Renfroe to the Brewers. Though they upgraded their defense by bringing back Jackie Bradley Jr., they now have a clear need for a right-handed, power-hitting outfielder, and few players fit that role better than Mitch Haniger.

After playing just 63 games from 2019 to 2020 due to a litany of injuries, Haniger proved no worse for wear in 2021. He sets career-highs with 39 home runs and 100 RBI while exceeding the .485 slugging percentage mark for the third time in four years. His numbers last year were eerily similar to the man he would be brought in to replace:

Mitch Haniger: .253/.318/.485   62 XBH 3.1 WAR
Hunter Renfroe: .259/.315/.501 64 XBH 2.3 WAR

There is no doubt that Haniger would be a great fit with the Red Sox, but the question is whether the Mariners would be willing to part with their longest-tenured player. With young stars Jarred Kelenic and Kyle Lewis locked into two of the outfield spots and top prospect Julio Rodriguez on the way, Seattle may be more willing to deal Haniger than you might think. With just one year remaining on his contract, the cost to acquire Haniger is well within the Red Sox price range. This is the rare deal that makes perfect sense for both sides.

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