The Philadelphia Phillies should work to keep outfielder Harrison Bader with the team this offseason. After acquiring him from the Minnesota Twins at the trade deadline, Bader has been an outstanding player for the Phillies. Bader has a mutual option on his contract for 2026 that will likely be declined. If that does indeed happen, Bader will become a free agent. Given his career year at the plate, Bader will probably sign a multi-year contract this offseason. Over the course of the last four seasons, Bader has played for six different teams. In three of those four seasons, Bader has been traded at the deadline. Johan Rojas has mainly underperformed, and the Phillies need to have a long-term plan for the outfield. Bader coming back would help with that.
Phillies Should Try To Keep This Outfielder
The Phillies also have to consider that Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto, as well as Ranger Suárez, are scheduled to be free agents this offseason. Schwarber and Realmuto need to be the Phillies’ free agency priorities. There is a limited amount of money to go around, even with no salary cap being present. Whoever signs, or in the case of the Phillies, re-signs Schwarber, he will get a large contract. The Phillies will also need to discuss how top outfield prospect Justin Crawford fits into their plans. It appears that Crawford will not make his major league debut this season. However, it is reasonable to believe that Crawford could be the Phillies’ opening day center fielder in 2026. Max Kepler is also a free agent after the 2025 season.
Success Since Being Acquired
Bader has a .349/.406/.535 line with four home runs and 15 RBI in 38 games since joining the Phillies. In addition to that, Bader has a 161 wRC+ and a .477 BABIP in that span. Bader has a 0.23 BB/K rate with the Phillies. After platooning for the first few games, Bader has become a regular in the Phillies’ outfield. With Trea Turner on the injured list, Bader has become the Phillies’ leadoff hitter for the time being. This season, Bader has the best wRC+ and BABIP in a Phillies uniform. Since joining the Phillies, Bader has recorded a .940 OPS compared to a .778 OPS with the Twins this season. The .830 OPS Bader has overall this season would be a career best. Bader is also on track to have a career-best wRC+ this season.
Potential Changes During The Offseason
On September 7, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that the Phillies will try harder to trade outfielder Nick Castellanos this offseason. Nightengale noted that the Phillies could take on more of the remaining money to facilitate a trade. There were rumors at the trade deadline that Castellanos could be dealt. Furthermore, this past offseason, there was discussion that the Phillies were trying to trade Castellanos. 2026 is the last year of the five-year deal Castellanos signed with the Phillies before the 2022 season. Castellanos has $20 million dollars remaining on his contract next season. In particular, this season, Castellanos has been abysmal at the plate against right-handed pitching. Castellanos also ranks as one of the worst defensive outfielders in baseball.
Main Photo Credits: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
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