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.
13 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.
Bader has averaged less than 1.5 WAR over his career, although last year, split between Minnesota and Philadelpia, he did much better, a career high. Those are both much better parks to hit in than SF.
Luis Matos (turns 24 tomorrow), Drew Gilbert (25), and Grant McCray (25) are your in-house options. One of those guys will be the fourth OF.
I feel like this (Bader) is the kind of move you can move away from. That is, the commitment isn't much and if your young bucks take a step forward then the veteran won't be counted on as much. He'll improve the team because he slots into a weak spot.
I'd like this move a lot more if we had another starter.
what about Gerar Encarnacion? He may not be quite as bad a fielder as advertised and he has a cannon for an arm. Question are: can he remain healthy? and if so, can he continue to hit and be a true threat in the lineup?
I left Encarnacion off my list even though he is on the 40-man. First, he's 28 and thus no longer a prospect with "upside." Second, he's most likely not going to hit any better than the new guy (Bader). Jerar's career line is .216/.242/.384 and although that's only 77 G and 256 PA it doesn't really fill me with confidence.
That being said, if he performs in the Spring he might keep his spot on the 25-man. He has flashed some power in AAA in 2023 (26 HR in 122 G) but that came with 200 K. He was absurd in Mexico, hitting 19 HR for Oaxaca in 26 G (.989 SLG!!) in 2024. So, we know why the Giants are interested in him.
The problem is the Giants have too many whiff-heavy guys already. And they are hoping for big things from another whiff-meister (Eldridge).
Maybe the Giants will package up McCray/Matos/Gilbert for a second baseman or something and that will keep Encarnacion in place.
I agree with your comment that Bader would look more attractive with another arm in the fold. Bader will be in center, though. His value is speedy defense. Lee has the arm for right. It does leave question marks about how to fit in Eldridge, Encarnacion, and Devers (not even to start on Matos/Gilbert/McRae).
The Devers/Eldridge thing is easy. Rafael will be the everyday 1B and backup DH. Bryce will be the primary DH and backup 1B. Devers likes to play the field. Eldridge is still learning. Both are LH. (I'm assuming Eldridge will be able to hit MLB pitching. If he doesn't, then it's not an issue, he'll be in AAA.)
If Jerar is going to get playing time it will be in the OF. Or as primary DH if the kid struggles.
Marco Luciano was DFAd again. That's, I think, his fourth club since SF. He's only 24. He turns 25 in September. He has to be traded or outrighted within a week. If he's outrighted he could sign a minor-league deal. Giants could stash him at AAA. Maybe he's just a late bloomer.
Giants traded away starter Kai-Wei Teng for a 20 year old catcher Jancel Villarroel (Astros). They get some international bonus money out of the deal, too.
I think Teng would have made a better reliever than starter. Often he looked good once through the line-up but he could not maintain his control nor effectiveness. Perhaps they were looking at him for the wrong role.
The guy has always had elite bat speed.
Teng has quite an arsenal despite not having a big heater. He gets a lot of whiffs but he's also walked too many guys so far in his career. If he can get that under control, he could stay in the bigs. And I think you're right, he could do better out of the bullpen.
The Giants DFAd him twice so it's nice they were able to get another player for him.
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