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Dodgers Interested In Harrison Bader

By Nick Deeds | July 27, 2025 at 9:26am CDT

While the Dodgers are widely expected to focus their trade deadline on pursuing high-leverage help in the bullpen, they could also stand to add another bat given the paltry production they’ve received from Michael Conforto (79 wRC+) in left field. They’ve previously been connected to Cardinals super utility man Brendan Donovan, and this morning USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reports that Los Angeles has interest in another outfield option: Harrison Bader of the Twins.

Bader, 31, has enjoyed his strongest offensive season in years after signing in Minnesota on a one-year deal this past offseason. He’s slashed a strong .250/.332/.435 (115 wRC+) in 92 games for the Twins this year with 12 home runs, nine stolen bases, and excellent outfield defense. The gifted defender has typically been deployed in center field throughout his career, but has primarily played left field this year in deference to Twins franchise face Byron Buxton, an elite center fielder in his own right. Andy Pages is currently patrolling center field for the Dodgers and is performing well on both offense (126 wRC+) and defense, but Bader’s elite glove could push Pages into a corner and Conforto to the bench if acquired.

The addition of Bader would help bolster a rare weak spot in the Dodgers’ daunting lineup. For all the club’s star power and overall offensive ability, its outfield is pedestrian overall. Dodgers outfielders have posted a combined wRC+ of 102 this year (12th in the majors), with 3.3 fWAR (16th in the majors). Adding Bader’s excellent glove and solid bat to the mix would go a long way to help make up for the offensive malaise key contributors like Mookie Betts, Teoscar Hernandez, and more recently Freddie Freeman have found themselves in at various points in the season.

Of course, Bader is far from the only player who could theoretically be an upgrade for the Dodgers in the outfield. As previously mentioned, they’ve already been connected to Donovan. A number of other intriguing outfielders are expected to be available this summer as well, including Ramon Laureano of the Orioles, Luis Robert Jr. of the White Sox, and Jesus Sanchez of the Marlins. Laureano and Robert (as well as Bader himself) would be particularly strong fits given that their right-handed bats can serve as a solid complement to the lefty Conforto, although even a left-handed outfielder like Sanchez or Mike Tauchman of the White Sox would offer a boost to the club’s production on the grass.

As for Bader, the Dodgers are the first team he’s been explicitly connected to but Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reported yesterday that he’s expected to have a “solid market” this summer as the Twins dangle their rental pieces. Teams like the Phillies, Padres, and Royals are in clear need of outfield help, and perhaps even clubs like the Yankees, Reds and Blue Jays with heavily left-handed outfield options could use another right-handed complement to those existing players as well.

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Los Angeles Dodgers Minnesota Twins Harrison Bader

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View Comments (24)
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24 Comments

  1. Simm

    2 hours ago

    Makes some sense, they would likely just platoon him with Conforto.

    Reply
    • okiguess

      1 hour ago

      They need to release Conforto.

      2
      Reply
    • horaceallen

      1 hour ago

      Conforto should be DFA’d.

      2
      Reply
    • Dorkus Malorkus (3768902)

      1 hour ago

      Why platoon? Baders been better than MC vs LH and RH.

      1
      Reply
  2. AC Surf Baseball

    2 hours ago

    Because they are a smart franchise. I’ve been screaming his name since Buxton said he wouldn’t waive his NT. Plays all 3 OF spots at a well above average clip, reasonable salary, still young. Even platoon splits this year but positive OPS+ vs. LHP for his career. Perfect 4th OF’er for a WS hopeful and can be retained for 2026.

    1
    Reply
    • CarverAndrews

      1 hour ago

      It is a mutual option, and not a team option so Bader is a pure rental.

      1
      Reply
  3. SweetBabyRayKingsThickThighs

    1 hour ago

    Master Bader would be an improvement over Conforto and Outman for sure

    1
    Reply
  4. In nurse follars

    1 hour ago

    Everyone knew conforto was not a good use of money. Boras built him up and the dodgers were suckered. It confuses me why so called savvy business people continue to get played by the boras propaganda machine. You’d think they’d learn by now. But when there is so much money in the game, on the backs of the fans who pay for it, these so called savvy business people have no concern about being suckered. What a stupid business model.

    2
    Reply
  5. AL B DAMNED

    1 hour ago

    Dodgers want everybody! Why don’t they just use A-I to insert Babe Ruth to have 3 at bats every inning, be allowed to have 4 outfielders, 5 infielders, unlimited mound visits and pitching changes. Plus let them spend twice as much as any other team..Oh wait a minute, they already do that!

    2
    Reply
    • Ezpkns34

      50 mins ago

      You ok?

      3
      Reply
  6. fox471 Dave

    1 hour ago

    Bit confusing. Now, that Conforto seems to be coming out of his slump, it is time to replace him? Dodgers need pitching!

    Reply
    • BlueSkies_LA

      17 mins ago

      Note, the rumor is about an addition, not a replacement. If anyone is replaced, Outman is obviously at the top of the list.

      They will get pitching.

      Reply
  7. JerseyShoreScore

    1 hour ago

    Best bet for the Dodgers, cut Conforto. Move Teoscar Hernandez who is horrendous in RF to LF, put Pages in RF, which is his best spot. Bader plays CF vs. all lefties, with Outman mixing in a bit vs. righties.

    The Dodgers defense has been disappointing this season and they need to tighten it up if they want to avoid their usual early playoff exit.

    Reply
    • toptimrubies

      38 mins ago

      a team that has been to the world series four times in the last eight seasons has a “usual early playoff exit?”

      2
      Reply
    • taran7

      12 mins ago

      Outman hasn’t had a hit in two years it seems

      Reply
      • BlueSkies_LA

        4 mins ago

        Hey, be fair… his last base hit was on July 7 of this year. So it’s been only three weeks! Funny though how the great baseball knowledge here believes the real outfield problem is Conforto.

        Reply
  8. Shrutefarm

    51 mins ago

    Bob Nightengale said it, so it must be true.

    Anyway, Conforto, who has been much better lately, is going to get hot in August..

    Reply
  9. bwmiller79

    41 mins ago

    Twins should get Ruiz, he would be nice in the Twins lineup.

    Reply
  10. BlueSkies_LA

    21 mins ago

    The Dodgers will stick with Conforto whether or not they trade for another outfielder. If it happens, and especially if he’s a RHB, Outman is either traded or gets his ticket back to OKC.

    Reply
  11. rdodger32

    20 mins ago

    They need A SS, that would fix the OF with Mookie back in RF and Teo In LF! Make a push with some top prospects Hope, Freeland, Sirota, Ferris and add May, and get Wilson and Miller from the A’S

    Reply
    • In nurse follars

      15 mins ago

      Lux?

      Reply
  12. highflyballintorightfield

    20 mins ago

    I don’t think Bader is that much of an improvement, unless Kike’ or someone is hurt worse than they are letting on. Of course this could just be start of this year’s version of the Rosario-Biggio-Ahmed merry-go-round.

    Reply
  13. CarolinaCubsandKush

    13 mins ago

    Bader is going to be a nice pickup for a contender. Having a great year offensively and can play all three outfield positions well.

    1
    Reply
  14. empirejim

    6 seconds ago

    The outfield bat need is satisfied if you move Mookie back to right and Teo to left. Mookie hasnt been impressive at SS on defense or offense. A move back to right greatly improves the defense. We won with Mookie in R and Teo in L, and Mookie REALLY needs a wakeup call.

    Reply

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