Close this module

The Seattle Mariners made the surprising decision to cut ties with veteran outfielder Mitch Haniger earlier this week, eating $15.5 million in the process.

Haniger, 34, hit just .208 last season with 12 homers and 44 RBI, but he has been an important fixture in Mariners history over the last decade.

Originally acquired before the 2017 season, Haniger earned an All-Star appearance in 2018 and then hit 39 homers in a superb 2021 campaign. He left in free agency after the 2022 season but was brought back in a trade with the San Francisco Giants before 2024.

The financial aspect of his release is the main reason it’s surprising, but it’s also surprising because the M’s didn’t technically have to make this decision. Seattle could have put Haniger on the injured list because of a shoulder issue that had kept him out the lineup since March 8, but they released him anyways.

Speaking on the “Refuse to Lose” podcast, ESPN MLB Insider Buster Olney had the following to say about the situation:

And ​I ​was ​surprised, ​based ​on ​the ​fact ​that ​teams ​will ​reflexively ​do ​the ​most ​conservative…make ​the ​most ​conservative ​decisions ​at ​the ​beginning ​of ​the ​year ​because ​they ​don’t ​want ​to just ​dump ​a ​player ​who ​might ​have ​some ​value ​and ​give ​them ​away ​early ​in ​the ​year, ​versus ​hoarding ​resources, ​letting ​them ​play ​and ​seeing what ​happens. ​The ​fact ​that ​they ​released ​him ​at ​a ​time ​when ​they’re ​looking ​for ​as ​much ​offense ​they ​possibly ​can ​glean, ​the ​fact ​that ​they ​released ​him ​tells ​you ​the ​Mariners ​don’t ​believe ​that ​he’s ​going ​to ​come ​back ​and ​be ​the ​Mitch ​Haniger ​of ​old.

You can listen to full episodes of the ‘Refuse to Lose’ podcast each Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Olney joins us on every Thursday episode.

NEW PODCAST IS OUT! Brady is back for another episode of “Refuse to Lose,” where he reacts to the Mitch Haniger release from all angles. Did Haniger actually want to be released? Then, Brady makes his prediction for the Mariners in 2025 and talks with former big-leaguer Dan Winkler, who works at Driveline Baseball, a Washington-based company. CLICK HERE:

WHAT’s WITH THE BUNTING? Two of the more controversial plays on Opening Day involved the Mariners bunting with Jorge Polanco and Victor Robles. Manager Dan Wilson spoke about those plays. CLICK HERE:

POLANCO MAKES RANDOM HISTORY: With a home run and a bunt, Jorge Polanco made some random history on Thursday night. CLICK HERE:

Continue to follow our Inside the Mariners coverage on social media by liking us on Facebook and by following Teren Kowatsch and Brady Farkas on “X” @Teren_Kowatsch and @RefuseToLosePod. You can subscribe to the “Refuse to Lose” podcast by clicking HERE.

Cal Raleigh spoke glowingly about the city of Seattle and how badly he wants to deliver a World Series crown to the success-starved Mariners fanbase. He expressed confidence in his teammates and the organization. He teared up when talking about his family.

And of course, he worked in some good-natured ribbing toward his fellow battery mates in Seattle’s talented starting rotation.

Lefko: Cal’s commitment changes the feeling about Mariners’ future

After Raleigh and the Seattle Mariners agreed to a six-year, $105 million contract extension earlier this week, the organization formally announced the deal during a news conference on Friday. Here are some highlights what the slugging, Platinum Glove Award-winning catcher said.

A priceless connection

From his drought-breaking home run to his “Big Dumper” nickname, Raleigh has become a fan favorite since making his big league debut with the Mariners in 2021. And as the 28-year-old catcher has repeatedly emphasized, it’s a two-way bond.

“One of the big things when deciding wanting to sign here was wanting to be someone to bring a World Series to this city and to an organization and a place that’s been so special to me and my family,” Raleigh said. “Not a lot of guys get a chance to play for one organization their whole career. … And it means a lot that (the Mariners) believe in me and that I’m gonna get a chance to do that.

“I look at guys like Alvin Davis, Dan Wilson and Ichiro. They’re Mariner greats and they’re legends in the city of Seattle and how much they mean to this city. And I think that’s super special and something that money can’t buy.”

Seattle is a long way from Raleigh’s hometown of Cullowhee, North Carolina, or where he spent his college days at Florida State University. But he said it’s become his second home.

“To be honest, I didn’t know a whole lot about Seattle at the very beginning, even when I was drafted,” Raleigh said. “I came up here and played in Everett and slowly learned the culture and slowly learned what this organization and what this city is all about. And I kind of fell in love with it.

“This city has really embraced me, and not just me, but really all of our players. They’re great fans, they really are. They support us all the time and through the ups and downs. So when you have that kind of people in your background, it makes it really special and makes me want to stay here and want to play for those people.

“It’s not always about the money,” he added. “Sometimes it’s more about being happy and in a place that you love and a place that you really appreciate. And that’s what Seattle has shown me. And to get that opportunity to do that for a long time means a lot to me and my family.”

Confidence in the organization

The Mariners remain the only MLB franchise to never reach the World Series. Raleigh is determined to end that distinction.

“I believe in the guys in the room that we have right now,” Raleigh said. “One of the best (pitching) staffs in all of baseball, both bullpen and starters. Obviously looking ahead to the future, a lot of good young prospects. I know you can’t always count on that, but a lot of guys with good makeup and guys that I do like what I saw from spring training. And I do believe we’ve got a lot of good things going here, especially with some guys already locked up.

“With that being said, it’s going to be one of my jobs now to be a leader and be a guy who can make this into a consistent winner and somebody who can set the culture the right way here, so that’s what I’m really looking forward to. … Nothing’s gonna change in the sense of how I prepare or what the goal is, but it just feels really good that these guys believe in me and believe in what we’re doing here.”

A ‘special’ bond

A number of Raleigh’s teammates were in attendance for his news conference, including starting pitchers Logan Gilbert, Bryce Miller, Bryan Woo and Emerson Hancock. (Luis Castillo was the starting pitcher for Friday night’s game.)

So naturally, there were some playful barbs back and forth.

At one point, Miller chimed in: “So last week, we went (out) to eat and you let Logan put his card down. So I’m wondering if you plan on reimbursing him?”

“Uh, well, the deal wasn’t done yet,” Raleigh said with a laugh. “… He still owes me a few for some dirtballs I’ve had to block for him.”

Later on, Woo presented a football analogy: “When a QB gets paid, he does a pretty good job of taking care of his O-linemen. O-linemen don’t get a whole lot of credit in the trenches with you every day. Have you put any thought toward taking care of your O-linemen?”

“Usually it’s the other way around,” Raleigh responded. “The pitcher’s supposed to take care of the catcher, right? I don’t know, we’ll think of something. Maybe I’ll get you guys a gift or something – something small.

“I’ve seen Rolexes. I’ve seen cars,” Woo chimed back. “Just putting it out there.”

“I’ll think about you guys,” Raleigh said.

Raleigh said it meant a lot to have his pitchers and teammates show up in support.

“It’s really special. These guys mean a lot to me. A lot of these guys I’ve come up with and have unfortunately had to room with some of them,” Raleigh said with a laugh. “No, I’m kidding. But these guys mean a lot to mean and (it’s) very special to see these guys and coaches that I’ve kind of came up with as well.

“It’s special when you have those relationships. And it makes it even better when I know I’m gonna be here a lot longer and share a lot of memories with these guys.”

One final thank you

Before the news conference ended, Raleigh had one more message.

“I just want to say thank you to all my coaches (and) everybody in the organization,” Raleigh said. “You guys have treated me very well over the past nine years. This is the only place I’ve ever known, and I’m hoping this will be the only place that I ever have to know.

“So all the people that have helped me get here, obviously my teammates, thank you very much. It really means a lot.”

Raleigh then started fighting back tears while thanking his family, which was in attendance.

“My mom and dad, thank you guys for giving me all the opportunities in the world, and my brothers and sisters for always being there for me,” Raleigh said. “I know it’s hard being all the way out in Seattle, but I do love it here and thank you guys for everything.

Raleigh closed by addressing Mariners general manager and team majority owner John Stanton, who were seated to his right.

“And thank you guys as well for giving me this opportunity to believe in me and lead this team,” Raleigh said. “I’m going to do everything I can to help us win a World Series.”

More on the Seattle Mariners

• Gilbert and Raleigh: From 2018 M’s draft picks to opening day battery
• Seattle Mariners rookie’s defense wasn’t a concern in opening day win
• How Seattle Mariners opening day star Polanco feels different this year
• Seattle Mariners Observations: What stood out from opening day win
• Watch: Mariners legend Ichiro fires 84 mph first pitch to Dan Wilson

Follow @CameronVanTil