The Cardinals’ quiet offseason might get a bit more interesting. They’re eyeing a reunion with former Gold Glove center fielder Harrison Bader, according to Bleacher Report.
St. Louis hasn’t made any major league moves since announcing their “reset” plans, but adding Bader could help shore up their outfield depth. The 30-year-old brings solid defense and speed to the table, along with a right-handed bat that’d balance out their lefty-heavy lineup.
Bader’s coming off a season where he hit .236 with 12 homers and 17 stolen bases while bouncing between the Reds and Mets. Those aren’t eye-popping numbers, but they’re a clear upgrade over what the Cards got from their center field options last year.
“Michael Siani and Victor Scott II were both non-factors offensively last season,” writes Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report. “While Scott showed some flashes down the stretch, the Cardinals might prefer to bring in a more established option to compete for the center field job.”
Lars Nootbaar seems likely to get first crack at center field, but Bader would be a solid backup plan. He’s familiar with all three outfield spots and won a Gold Glove with the Cardinals in 2021 before they shipped him to the Yankees in 2022.
Thing is, the Cardinals might not be done reshaping their roster. There’s still talk they could move players like Nolan Arenado, Erick Fedde, or Steven Matz. But bringing back Bader on a one-year deal could give them both outfield insurance and a potential trade chip if things don’t work out.
The real question is whether they’re ready to start making moves. So far, thier offseason has been all quiet on the midwest front.
