The Phillies need outfield help, and they might find it in Minnesota with Harrison Bader.
Philadelphia’s current outfield situation isn’t pretty. Nick Castellanos is the only regular with an OPS+ over 100, but even he’s posting negative WAR. Brandon Marsh, Max Kepler, and Johan Rojas have all underperformed this season.
The Phillies could chase bigger names like Jarren Duran or Steven Kwan, but Sports Illustrated’s Will Laws and Nick Selbe think they’ll land the Twins’ center fielder instead.
“Bader has been a boon for the Twins after signing a one-year, $6.25 million contract this winter. Though he’s spent most of his time in left field, he still provides elite defense in center and is putting up a full-season career-best 113 wRC+. He’ll be a rental for whoever acquires him, but should still command a decent price as a starting-caliber center fielder.”
Bader’s slashing .251/.330/.435 this season – not eye-popping numbers, but a clear upgrade over what the Phillies are getting from their current options. What makes this move attractive is the defense he brings. We’re talking about a 2021 Gold Glove winner who can still patrol center field at an elite level.
The journeyman factor doesn’t hurt here either. Bader’s bounced around lately – Cardinals, Yankees, Reds, and Mets in recent years – which suggests he’s adaptable and won’t need time to adjust to a new clubhouse.
From a cost perspective, this makes sense for Philadelphia. Bader won’t require the Phillies to empty their farm system, and there’s even a potential future angle. He’s got a $10 million mutual option for next season.
That’s where the flexibility comes in. If this is purely a rental play to bolster their playoff push, Bader gives them a reliable center fielder who can handle the defensive demands while providing league-average offense. If he clicks with the team and the city, that mutual option becomes an interesting conversation for 2025.
The Phillies are trying to win the NL East and make another deep October run. Bader might not be the flashiest addition, but he addresses their needs without breaking the budget or prospect pipeline.
