3 right-handed sluggers Dodgers can sign to replace Justin Turner

1. Mitch Haniger

The Seattle Mariners just traded for All-Star outfielder Teoscar Hernandez, which likely signals the end of Mitch Haniger’s tenure with the team. With so much depth already in the outfield, it would be surprising if Haniger re-signed with the M’s after Wednesday’s trade.

Haniger is not as big of a name as the other players on this list, but he could fill more of a direct role on the team. The Dodgers’ outfield depth is pretty thin, and while they have a promising prospect coming up to fill one spot, the team would benefit from another right-handed outfielder not named Trayce Thompson.

Though the slugger is coming off of a down year in which he only played 57 games, his ceiling as a right-handed bat is really intriguing. In 2021, Haniger received an MVP vote as he slashed .253/.318/.485 with 39 home runs and 100 RBI.

Haniger’s overall career numbers are solid as well. He’s posted a career .811 OPS in 564 games played. He has a career 122 wRC+. Haniger’s wRC+ against lefties since 2017 is nearly identical to Justin Turner’s too, with Haniger checking in at 132 and Turner checking in at 135.

Also, for what it’s worth, Martinez has the third-best wRC+ against lefties in that time frame and Abreu has the 10th-best.

If Haniger is the same price as Martinez or Abreu, then the Dodgers are better off paying the better bats and sticking them at DH. However, if Haniger’s injuries have lowered his price to that of a one-year prove-it deal, then the Dodgers could add a quality right-handed bat that also provides outfield depth.

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