Harrison Bader started the 2025 season with the Minnesota Twins. He played in 96 games, hitting.258/.339/.439 with 12 home runs and 38 runs batted in.
However, at the trade deadline, he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies. Bader was able to play in 50 games, hitting.305/.361/.463 with five home runs and 16 runs batted in.
Now, the slugger sits on the open market. And with the season he just had, he could have a lot of teams interested in signing him to a contract.
Phillies' Harrison Bader receives $25 million contract projection from ESPN insider
Harrison Bader is not one of the high-profile names on the open market, but he is one who could help stabilize an outfield and produce offensively. However, ESPN's Kiley McDaniel still views him as a fourth outfielder.
"He's 31 years old now and has long been considered a standout defender in center field, but those numbers also dipped last season. Bader is still a championship-level fourth outfielder who can start for certain teams, but that's what he was last year when Minnesota signed him for one year, $6.25 million plus incentives. He shouldn't get much more than that, but I think he will."
Bader is starting to age and is coming off a season where his defensive value slipped a bit. With that in mind, McDaniel believes Bader will sign a two-year $25 million contract, or something similar.
Outside of the Phillies, one team to watch out for is the Baltimore Orioles. They are coming into the offseason looking to drastically improve their defense.
Another team that could be interested in acquiring Bader's talents is the San Francisco Giants. Bader could be viewed as a low-cost option that would bring in a solid outfielder with a good enough bat to back it up.
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