Oct 16, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Yankees center fielder Harrison Bader (22) rrounds third base after hitting a two run home run against the Cleveland Guardians in the second inning during game four of the ALDS for the 2022 MLB Playoffs at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
MLB: New York Yankees at Cleveland Guardians
(Queens, NY) – A familiar face will likely be patrolling centerfield at CitiField next summer – provided he’s healthy.
Former Yankees outfielder Harrison Bader has inked a one-year $10.5 million contract with the New York Mets.
After making his debut with the St. Louis Cardinals, the 29-year-old Bader was traded to the Yankees for Jordan Montgomery, and was acquired by the Cincinnati Reds off waivers last season, just before the playoffs.
Considered an elite CF defensively, with top-end speed on the base paths, Bader brings an element to the Mets they had otherwise been lacking – a natural center fielder.
Dating back to 2018, he’s recorded 66 “outs above average,” which is higher than guys like Kevin Kiermaier, Michael A. Taylor, and Manuel Margot.
Although Brandon Nimmo has made significant strides in CF, team brass also seems to think the added physical toll associated with the position has harmed Nimmo’s offensive production.
Now Nimmo can slot over to LF, with some combination of Starling Marte, D.J. Stewart, and perhaps utilityman Jeff McNeil in RF. Plus, highly-touted prospect Drew Gilbert is considered one of the first likely call ups next year – and he plays all three outfield spots, including RF.
Bader, a Bronxville, New York native, struggled with the bat last year. He posted a relatively meager .232/.274/.348 slash line. That said, he produced while in St. Louis – with a .784 OPS (on-base plus slugging) during the 2020 and 2021 seasons with the Cardinals. His sprint speed is also a real weapon: he ranked in the 85th percentile in 2023.
So, with the outfield more or less set, the Mets and president of baseball operations David Stearns can renew their focus on building out the pitching staff, DH depth, and third base.
