The Top Landing Spots for Free Agent Harrison Bader
Harrison Bader is among the premier outfield free agents this offseason. After arguably the best season of his career, he ranks as the third-best outfield option based on 2025 fWAR, tying with Trent Grisham at 3.2 fWAR. Only Cody Bellinger and Kyle Tucker had higher fWAR totals that year.
Bader is poised to earn a solid contract following a one-year, $6.25 million deal with the Minnesota Twins. After being traded to the Philadelphia Phillies at the deadline, he finished the season strong, delivering his second-best career fWAR and setting personal bests in home runs, RBIs, batting average, on-base percentage, and wRC+.
Outstanding Second Half with Philadelphia
His performance improved after joining the Phillies, batting .305 with a 129 wRC+ in the latter part of the season.
Defensive Excellence Beyond Age 30
Beyond his hitting, Bader excelled defensively, proving he remains a valuable center fielder even on the far side of 30. He played all three outfield positions and finished 2025 ranked seventh in defensive runs saved (+13) among qualified outfielders. His +6 outs above average placed him 13th overall.
“Whoever signs Bader is going to get a solid bat as well as an excellent defender, making him a desirable target for organizations across MLB this winter.”
Summary
Bader offers a rare blend of offensive improvement and defensive reliability, making him a top candidate for teams seeking an impactful outfielder this offseason.