The Giants have agreed to a two-year deal ($21M) with 32-year old free agent centerfielder Harrison Bader. That's going to bump Jung Hoo Lee over to right, I expect. Giants outfield defense, with the exception of the always-smooth Mike Yastrzemksi, was atrocious in 2025.
Bader is a mostly average hitter (RH) with a few years like last season (.277/.347/.449) sprinkled in. His calling card is his glove and he's been outstanding since his debut in 2017. He's suited up for six teams (Cardinals, Yankees, Reds, Mets, Twins, Phillies) and has also logged 76 PA in the post-season (in ten series).
If you think he's a 2-WAR player this is a good deal. Projections of his hitting aren't pretty but he's good for 15 homers and 20 doubles and a dozen stolen bases so he's not useless. It's really all about how you value his fielding. With a spacious outfield and some fly-ball pitchers like Robbie Ray the Giants could certainly benefit from better defense.
The team is still $20M or so under the luxury tax line.
--M.C.
2 comments:
I was just thinking that maybe they'll leave Lee in CF and give Bader the "harder" assignment of RF in Oracle Park.
Still a hold then on some of the young players.
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