During the summer, the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies were involved in multiple trade deadline disputes. The Phillies clearly won. Adding Jhoan Duran significantly transformed their bullpen. A lesser but significant sweepstakes they won placed ex-Mets outfielder Harrison Bader in center field for them.
Bader’s contract earned him $4.75 million last year, with a $10 million player option in 2026. The $10 million available for the following season is actually less than he received from the Mets in 2024, when he spent the last two months watching the majority of the games from the bench. Bader has opted out of the second year.
A reunion with the Mets is possible, but it is unlikely to be his first choice because the Mets should make a short-term commitment rather than a long-term one. The Mets require a love affair of their own. With the Phillies potentially in the market to re-sign Bader, one of their other alternatives is to get the ideal match from the Mets.
Are we about to get another Mets vs. Phillies battle for Luis Robert Jr.?
The Phillies were heavily involved in trade discussions for Luis Robert Jr. last July, just like the Mets, but ultimately landed Harrison Bader instead. Bader went on to hit .305 during his stint in Philadelphia, and that strong performance could prompt the team to consider bringing him back. However, it remains unclear whether the Phillies would be willing to commit to him for the length of contract he might seek.
Bader’s elite defense earned him a sizeable one-year deal with the Mets in 2024, though a disappointing finish hurt his market value. He opened the 2025 season with the Minnesota Twins, spending most of his time in left field. Still, he should draw interest from teams looking for a capable center fielder. The market for that position is thin—Trent Grisham is coming off an impressive but possibly fluky season, while Cedric Mullins underperformed badly after being traded to the Mets.
The key distinction between Bader, a free agent, and Robert, a trade target, is the acquisition cost. Signing Bader only requires money, whereas landing Robert would mean parting with prospects or young talent. Robert also earns about twice as much as Bader did. At $20 million, teams risk getting a .220 hitter who might miss significant time, yet Robert’s potential—30 or more home runs in a full season—makes him an enticing option.
At the very least, Robert offers top-tier defense and speed. In 100 games last year with the White Sox, he stole 33 bases despite posting an on-base percentage below .300. For the Mets, who need short-term help in center field, his skill set is appealing. Meanwhile, Bader’s departure from Philadelphia opens up a roster spot and leaves Mets executive David Stearns with a new challenge in trying to secure his preferred option.
