Harrison Bader is coming off the best offensive season of his career. Isaiah Vazquez / Getty Images
Outfielder Harrison Bader is in agreement on a two-year deal with the San Francisco Giants, sources tell The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.
Bader, No. 32 on The Athletic’s Free Agent Big Board, received a two-year deal after posting the best offensive season of his career. The 31-year-old right-handed-hitter, whom Tim Britton projected would get a two-year, $32 million deal, slashed .277/.347/.449 in 146 games in 2025. His OPS (.796) was the highest of his nine-year career. He became a free agent after declining his portion of a mutual option with Philadelphia.
Before the Phillies acquired Bader at the deadline, he played left field rather than center, his natural position, for the Minnesota Twins. He returned to center with the Phillies, rejuvenating a flawed outfield group that became one of the club’s strengths during the stretch run. It took some time for manager Rob Thomson to play Bader every day but, once he did, the center fielder provided a spark on offense and defense.
He dominated in the outfield, with memorable moments like perfectly playing a ball off Monty’s Angle at Citizens Bank Park and a home run robbery at the wall at Globe Life Field.
Harrison Bader leaps high for a home-run-robbing catch against the Rangers. (Ron Jenkins / Getty Images)
In two months with the Phillies, Bader hit .305/.361/.463 with an .824 OPS. His postseason was cut short, however, by a groin injury during Game 1 of the NLDS.
Bader was beloved by Phillies teammates, coaches and fans for his energy and swagger. Just a few weeks after his arrival, teammates wore matching T-shirts with Bader’s motto, “What a gift,” front and center and a graphic of him raising his arms. Bader showed his love to spectators on Fan Appreciation Day, giving away pizza to a row in the outfield — the product of an inside joke between Bader and head of team security Kelly Davis.
It remains to be seen if Bader, who will turn 32 in June, can maintain his gains on offense. But his Gold Glove Award caliber defense will provide a spark in San Francisco.