Harris Bader Among New York Yankees That May Become Free Agents

If the New York Yankees don’t extend his contract, center fielder Harrison Bader can become a free agent at the end of this season.

Bader is among a list of potential Yankees free agents that includes pitchers Luis Severino, Frankie Montas, Wandy Peralta, and valuable multiple position player Isiah-Kiner Falefa.

Bader is significant because of the lack of depth in the Yankees outfield. However, the Yankees have pitching depth issues as well.

Currently playing under a contract worth $5.2 million, which is a bargain. Bader has played very well for New York.

The right-handed hitting Bader, who turned 29 June 3, has found new life with the Yankees.

Bader was traded from the St. Louis Cardinals for left-handed pitcher Jordan Montgomery on August 2, 2022.

The trade has helped both teams, which is exactly what a good baseball trade is intended to accomplish.

About Harrison Bader:

Harrison Bader was a 3rd round selection of the St. Louis Cardinals out of the University of Florida in the 2015 draft.

Bader was given a $400,000 signing bonus by the Cardinals.

In his three seasons at Florida, Bader hit .313 with 20 homers, and 112 RBIs in 754 plate appearances.

Bader played all three outfield positions at Florida. Now at the major league level, he is seen as a superb defensive center fielder.

This scout first evaluated Bader in the 2016 Arizona Fall League, when he played for Glendale as part of the Cardinals contingent.

That fall, Bader showed outstanding bat control, and an ability to hit line drives. He finished the season with a stat line of .304/.349/.430/.779 with two doubles, a triple, two home runs and 16 RBIs in 86 plate appearances. He drew five walks, and he struck out 14 times.

In parts of six seasons with St. Louis, Bader hit .246 with 52 homers and 168 RBIs in 1,715 plate appearances.

It’s important to note that scouts graded Bader as a Grade 60 player as a young rookie. A Grade 60 equates to an occasional All Star and a player with several quality major league tools.

The trade to the Yankees from the Cardinals for Jordan Montgomery solved an issue for both teams. The Yankees needed a solid outfielder. The Cardinals needed a solid starter. Check, and check.

Like Bader, unless the Cardinals extend his contract, Montgomery can become a free agent after this season.

Scouting Harrison Bader:

Bader is 6-0, 210 pounds. He isn’t huge by major league standards, but he is strong enough and a good enough athlete to hit the gaps and take the ball over the fence.

Bader is back on the Yankees roster after a stint on the Injured List with a hamstring strain.

Bader’s offense has improved with the Yankees.

Last year in the playoffs, Bader hit five home runs in nine postseason games. He hit three homers against the Cleveland Guardians in the American League Division Series, and two homers against the Houston Astros in the American League Championship Series. He drove in a total of six runs in those nine games.

Early in his career, Bader was too aggressive at the plate at times, but that has quieted somewhat since his earlier years.

Bader has very good baseball instincts. He is patient at the plate, knows the strike zone, and will make a pitcher work.

Bader’s contact rate has improved with time, and he can be relied upon to put the ball in play.

It is his newly found power that is intriguing. Since he joined the Yankees, Bader has hit for more power than he showed with St. Louis.

While his home run bat showed up in the postseason last year, so far this year, Bader has hit seven home runs in 145 plate appearances.

Defensively, Bader chases down most balls hit within his view in center field. He gets a good read on the ball, gets a good jump, takes excellent routes, and can be counted upon to make every catch possible. He is an asset to the pitching staff.

Conclusions:

If they don’t extend his contract, center fielder Harrison Bader can enter free agency after this season.

The Yankees are estimated by Fangraphs to have a $274 million payroll.

Thin in the pitching department, the Yankees also have to consider contract renewals for pitchers Luis Severino, Frankie Montas (currently injured) Wandy Peralta, and versatile position player, Isiah-Kiner Falefa.

For this writer, signing Bader is crucial. The Yankees are not deep in outfielders.

Bader’s defense saves runs. When healthy, his offense is improving. His power has been a pleasant surprise.

It will be interesting to see how the Yankees approach the pending free agencies of players with expiring contracts, but especially the future of Harrison Bader.