The Philadelphia Phillies struggled in the outfield last season, a weakness the team acknowledged at the trade deadline when they brought in top star. He performed well during his stint in Philadelphia, but after the season he declined his $10 million mutual option and entered free agency. With Nick Castellanos expected to be traded or released, the Phillies will need to rebuild their outfield, and bringing Bader back could be an option.
However, Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter projects breakout star to land with the San Francisco Giants instead.
“Given that Jung Hoo Lee (-18 DRS, -5 OAA) and Heliot Ramos (-6 DRS, -9 OAA) rank among the weakest defensive outfielders in the league, adding a glove-first center fielder like Harrison Bader could help cover their defensive struggles,” Reuter wrote.
Bader, a former Gold Glove center fielder, not only provided elite defense but also delivered a strong offensive season between the Twins and Phillies. Across 146 games, he posted a .277/.347/.449 slash line and hit a career-high 17 home runs.
He isn’t expected to command a top-tier contract, making him an appealing, low-cost target for the Giants—especially as they are expected to spend big on starting pitching. With stars like Lee, Rafael Devers, Matt Chapman, and Willy Adames already on the roster, Bader would fit as a reliable everyday outfielder and complementary piece.