It took a few confusing hours, but Seattle Mariners outfielder Mitch Haniger has reportedly exercised his $17.5 million player option for 2025.

MLB’s deadline for players and teams to exercise their options was 2pm PT on Monday. That deadline came and went with no official statement from the Mariners, reporters and insiders, regardless of whether Haniger exercised his option or not.

There was speculation among fans as to why Haniger chose not to opt out, given that he is unlikely to make $17.5 million in 2025 in free agency.

It looks like Haniger took that option. It just wasn’t reported on the deadline.

Haniger was still being updated Seattle 40-person squad is open MLB.com That included injured players who were removed from the 60-day injured list on Monday.

There was also a list of free agents published by the MLB Player’s Association that did not include Haniger (this list has since been deleted).

If that’s not a good enough indication that Haniger has exercised his option, report MLB Trade Rumors writer Anthony Franco confirmed this.

Haniger is having a bad season in 2024. He batted .208 with 12 home runs and 44 RBIs.

Haniger’s playing time was reduced when Dan Wilson was hired as coach on August 22. Wilson played in just 43 games after being hired.

Haniger’s name is all over the Mariners’ record books. He broke the career franchise record with his eighth in 2024. He also ranks fifth in club history with 58 in home runs at T-Mobile Park and 10th in franchise history with 119 overall in home runs.

Barring a trade or assignment, Haniger will be the second-highest-paid player on Seattle’s roster in 2025, behind franchise star Julio Rodriguez ($19.912 million).

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