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.
Makes some sense, they would likely just platoon him with Conforto.
They need to release Conforto.
Dodgers release Comforto with young Master Bader?
Conforto should be DFA’d.
Why platoon? Baders been better than MC vs LH and RH.
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.
It is a mutual option, and not a team option so Bader is a pure rental.
You don’t think Bader wouldn’t jump on a 10M option?
No if he plays well down the stretch he’d want multiple years at his age
When’s the last time a mutual option was exercised? Never seen it happen.
Master Bader would be an improvement over Conforto and Outman for sure
I see what you did there. He’s having a great year, thought he’d be a great hitter as many did based on his college stats but that never fully materialized at the Major league level. He offers great defense and plus speed which the Dodgers need given Outman and Confortos output this year have been subpar
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.
Apparently not *everyone* knew signing Conforto wasn’t a good use of money.
Also, “on the backs of the fans who pay for it” implies the fans are required to give their money to MLB teams. Aside from the politicians giving ridiculous amounts to teams in the form of stadium handouts, fans don’t have to pay a penny to the league if they don’t want to. And they could vote out any politicians who throw money at billionaires.
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!
You ok?
You and reality seem to have a fractured relationship. Couples therapy might help.
I think a 3D printer would be in order
It’s incredible fans think the dodgers win every year but think the cap works in the nfl and nba. Chiefs and pats have ruled the afc for 20 years and the warriors went to how many straight finals? Yet the dodgers and Yankees have be 1,2 payroll for the last 15-20 years and have 3 rings to show for it. Baseball has better parity than the sports you think are fair
Baseball has no parity. And it’s not an apples to apples comparison to the other sports mentioned. The big markets in MLB can buy their teams, win or lose, with only a luxury tax to worry about. Steve Cohen laughs at that. There will always be the same door mats that sit back & collect the revenue sharing. They provide little competition on the field, & then serve as a farm team, ready to trade potential stars to the big market teams instead of paying them & building a championship-caliber team around them. The NBA is nothing but pile-on teams with superstars recruiting other superstars. Durant would be an example in the Warriors’ case. It was finally nice to see OKC versus Indiana in the finals this year after years of pile-on dominance. And the AFC being dominated by 2 teams for the last 15 – 20 years all comes down to the QB. It’s hard to win a Super Bowl without a really good to great one. To use this analogy with baseball, if Mahomes or Brady were drafted by a small market team in MLB they would have been traded when their respective contracts were up because the small market teams wouldn’t pay the market value. While these 2 types of players would still potentially win, it most likely wouldn’t be with the small market teams that drafted them. Paul Skenes would be a good comp to Mahomes or Brady as far as star power & performance. Do you think the Pirates are going to dominate the NL? I’m guessing no, but Skenes will get his chance at multiple championships when he is no longer controllable by his small market team. And to further show the lack of parity in MLB, whatever players the Pirates get someday for Skenes, good or bad, will ultimately be traded the same way when it is time for them to get paid market value. And the broken cycle will continue.
Not going to read that novel after you incorrectly said baseball has no parity lol.
The Dodgers signed Conforto, which proves they’re also attracted to garbage.
Conforto did just hit a home run. So there’s that. He can rest his bat for the next few games to maintain his average.
Bit confusing. Now, that Conforto seems to be coming out of his slump, it is time to replace him? Dodgers need pitching!
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.
While it does look like he’s getting his rhythm at the plate, he’s not consistent enough, and he still looks very bad in too many at bats.
Even if he continues to improve, having a great platoon option or veteran late inning defensive replacement when Conforto starts if a good thing. Especially if kike is out longer than expected.
I would imagine they’ll sort out the pitching at least to some extent.
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.
a team that has been to the world series four times in the last eight seasons has a “usual early playoff exit?”
Outman hasn’t had a hit in two years it seems
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.
@JerseyShoreScore
Kiss Outman goodbye. He’ll very likely be involved with any trade that gets made in the next few days. Not to mention that he’s had every opportunity to start hitting at this level, and has failed miserably. He makes Conforto look like Teddy Ballgame at the dish.
Bob Nightengale said it, so it must be true.
Anyway, Conforto, who has been much better lately, is going to get hot in August..
Twins should get Ruiz, he would be nice in the Twins lineup.
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.
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
Lux?
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.
Bader is going to be a nice pickup for a contender. Having a great year offensively and can play all three outfield positions well.
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.
Mookie has been pretty good at SS and seems to be getting better.
With the weight loss and being so sick at the beginning of the year, he hasn’t caught his stride at the plate. Hopefully it comes around in the coming weeks.
They have committed to him being the everyday shortstop. No need to change it now.
I’ll miss Bader when he’s gone
Please stop mentioning Luis Robert Jr. He’s been offensively dead weight the last few years. The Dodgers don’t need another black hole in the lineup.
If the Dodgers are looking for a player who spends half the year on the shelf, and the other half not hitting his weight, Robert Jr. is their guy.
Any thought of bringing him to LA is preposterous.
metzfan nick, how are you not mentioning the Mets not only need a right handed center fielder but Harrison played for them last year
Before CBT fines the Dodgers are already spending over $400 million which is 50% more than the next highest spending team in their division. How high are they willing to go?
As much as they want to.
Which doesnt answer my question.
Higher when you’re that invested already.
Twins could deal Bader and Duran (or Jax) to LAD. What is the proposed return on such a deal?
Reds had Bader once, it didn’t work out. Why would they repeat a failure?
Oh, it’s the trade deadline….
“Dodgers outfielders have posted a combined wRC+ of 102 this year (12th in the majors)”
12th is considered weak??? I know what weak looks like and that is anything but weak
It is considering their payroll. Just like the Yankees’ pitching.
That’s the best pic they could find? lol
OF COURSE. These greedy motherf***ers buy the entire league while their clown bandwagon fans in America’s phoniest city tell you that your favorite owner could do it too. Then a couple injuries happen or one guy doesn’t live up to superstar status and they bully another team who can’t compete economically into giving up a good player who will then suddenly try harder with his new d*ddies in LA.
I find myself looking forward to your anti dodgers rants. The unintentional humor is excellent.
You seem to be focused on money.
Did a rich guy steal your girl?
A-rich-guy-pocketed-his-own-team-investments-fan-victims-syndrome. It’s epidemic.
That needs an acronym
Harris Invader