Reports: D-backs are in mix for OFs Haniger, Marte, Mazara

The Arizona Diamondbacks are reportedly in the mix on the trade market for outfielders Mitch Haniger, Starling Marte and Nomar Mazara, according to the MLB Network’s Jon Heyman and Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic.

The D-backs have pressing needs in the outfield this offseason.

Right field is the emptiest spot currently after the team non-tendered Steven Souza Jr. and both Adam Jones and Jarrod Dyson are free agents. Tim Locastro remains under contract and started 10 games there in 2019.

Center field, though, is another area of emphasis general manager Mike Hazen noted at winter meetings, per MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert. While second baseman Ketel Marte primarily played there last season, Hazen said he wants to add a center fielder to put Marte on the dirt more.

Haniger, 28, was a member of the D-backs back in 2016 before being involved in the Ketel Marte deal. He made the All-Star team in 2018 and had an injury-riddled year last season for Seattle. Over three years with the Mariners, Haniger is hitting .271 with 57 home runs, 172 RBIs and a strong OPS of .838.

Primarily a right fielder for Seattle, Haniger also started 49 games in center field for the past two seasons. Haniger is estimated by Spotrac to make $3 million next season and has two more years of arbitration after until he’s a free agent in 2023.

The Pittsburgh Pirates’ Starling Marte has been used almost exclusively in center the past two seasons. The 31-year-old is coming off his best season yet at the plate, hitting .295 with career highs in homers (23), RBIs (82) and OPS (.845). The eight-year veteran was an All-Star in 2016 and is also a threat on the basepaths, where he has stolen 20-plus bases in seven straight seasons, coming off 25 in 2019.

Marte is the most expensive and least controlled of the three reported names. He makes $11.5 million next season and there’s a club option for 2021 at $12.5 million before he becomes a free agent the year after.

Mazara of the Texas Rangers is the youngest of the group at 24. He’s been a consistent bat for the Rangers the past four seasons, posting an OPS between .700 and .800 while hitting 19-20 home runs all four years as well. Unlike the other two names, Mazara has been strictly a right fielder in his past two MLB seasons.

The lone left-handed bat of the three, Mazara is under team control for two more years. He is estimated by Spotrac to make $5.7 million next season.

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