Why Mitch Garver and Mitch Haniger could be traded from Seattle to the Miami Marlins

The rebuilding Miami Marlins currently find themselves in an unfamiliar position. There is increased pressure for the club to spend just over $20 million this offseason to meet 150% of the $70+ million they collected through shared revenue. Failure to take on additional payroll could leave the franchise open to a grievance being filed.

A traditional baseball franchise would simply invest these funds in free agents that fit their timeline and needs. However, the Miami Marlins are far from conventional.

Instead, President Peter Bendix could get more creative to fuel his prospect-driven approach. By trading for bad contracts on contending teams, Bendix could position himself to recoup draft picks or prospects as part of the salary exchange.

A Sports Illustrated piece recently speculated that the Seattle Mariners could be an ideal trade partner. Mitch Haniger and/or Mitch Garver are specifically sited as ideal candidates for a salary dump.

Haniger is owed $17.75 million in 2025. His teammate, Garver, is slated to earn $11.5 million (with a mutual option in 2026). Haniger is currently projected to be the club's starting DH. However, after a sub-par 2024 campaign in which he hit .208 with only 12 home runs, he is certainly expendable.

On the other hand, Garver has been even more of a disappointment. He was originally brought to Seattle to be the primary DH and backup catcher. Unfortunately, he followed up on his .270 batting average and 19 homers with the Rangers with an abysmal .172 average and just 15 long balls in his first season with the Mariners. He was benched from regular at-bats by season's end.

Seattle would be thrilled to free up either of these salaries so they can reinvest in other areas of need as they attempt to build a postseason contender. It's feasible to think they would include something of value, whether draft picks or prospects) in exchange for getting valuable money off their books.

A trade like this could make sense for the Marlins for several reasons. I've written recently that the club should look to add at least one seasoned veteran to help the young core of hitters with the development. The Seattle duo would fit well as leaders, with Garver being an especially interesting mentor to Agustin Ramirez.

Additionally, adding either to the payroll would help the Marlins meet spending expectations. It is admittedly a disappointing way to invest money. Yet, there is little evidence that this version of the club has any interest in real spending.

If they are forced to up their payroll (and by all accounts, they should be), adding veteran leadership and picks or prospects in a trade with the Mariners could be worth it for this rebuilding Miami ball club.