Among the center fielders available in free agency, Harrison Bader stands as the best option in terms of defense. In 2025, he tied for 7th-best among qualified outfielders with 13 Defensive Runs Saved. Indeed, Bader has been worth a staggering 67 DRS along with 77 Outs Above Average dating back to his debut 2017 season.
In 2025, Bader paired his typically excellent defense with a career-best offensive performance. In 501 plate appearances across 146 games between the Twins and Phillies, he batted .277/.347/.449 with a 122 wRC+ while setting a career high with 17 homers and upping his hard-hit rate to 40.3%. However, there are questions as to whether Bader’s performance is sustainable, given that he batted .359 on balls in play, which was far above the league average of .291.
Offensive question marks aside, Bader figures to earn a multi-year contract in this turn through free agency. We at MLBTR project him for a two-year, $26MM deal. Which team will take the plunge? Here’s a look at some of the options:
Phillies
A reunion with the Phillies would make plenty of sense. Kyle Schwarber, J.T. Realmuto, and Ranger Suarez are all free agents, and though the club would love to bring Schwarber back, there might be some available payroll if the other two end up leaving. In general, the Phillies’ outfield defense has not been a strong suit in recent years. In 2025, Brandon Marsh and Max Kepler were roughly average in the field, while Nick Castellanos was worth -11 DRS in right field and may not be on the team in 2026. Johan Rojas was worth 4 DRS in 418 2/3 outfield innings but also hit for just a 58 wRC+ in 172 plate appearances. Justin Crawford rates as the team’s No. 3 prospect according to MLB.com and could factor in, though a reunion with Bader would add to the defense while giving Crawford time to adjust to the majors.
Angels
The Angels used Mike Trout primarily as a DH this year in order to keep him healthy. That left Jo Adell as the starting center fielder, and he was worth -13 DRS in 724 innings there. Bryce Teodosio was much better with 7 DRS in 406 innings, but like Rojas for the Phillies, Teodosio was an offensive black hole with a 51 wRC+ in 150 PA. Overall, the Angels’ outfield defense was valued at -27 DRS, which ranked second-worst among big-league clubs ahead of only the Rockies. Signing Bader would help a great deal in that department, and it’s not as if the $26MM figure would break the bank for owner Arte Moreno, anyway.
Giants
The Giants have Jung Hoo Lee signed through 2029 (though he has an opt-out after 2027). While he was slightly above average offensively with a 107 wRC+ in 150 games this year, he was last among qualified center fielders with -18 DRS. Statcast regards him as having 11th-percentile range but 91st-percentile arm strength, so it’s possible he’d be a better fit in right field than center. Overall, the Giants’ outfield defense was not much better than the Angels’, as they combined for -21 DRS during the season. Mike Yastrzemski had been their best defensive outfielder, but he was traded to the Royals at the deadline. Since San Francisco already has expensive contracts on the books for Rafael Devers, Willy Adames, Matt Chapman, and Lee himself, signing Bader could be a low-cost option for strong defense and good-enough offense.
Orioles
Cedric Mullins was well below average defensively in 2025 and was traded to the Mets at the deadline. Colton Cowser and Dylan Carlson were serviceable in center following that trade, but they were hardly difference-makers. Prospect Dylan Beavers debuted in 2025 but only played the corners, and their next-closest outfield prospect, Enrique Bradfield Jr., is seen as an exceptional defender but an underdeveloped bat. Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias has signaled that the club will be aggressive in pursuing upgrades, and RosterResource gives them $68MM in payroll space before they match their 2025 spending. Bader would dramatically improve the defense while still leaving room for pitching upgrades.
Where do MLBTR readers think Bader will land this offseason? Cast your vote in the poll below:
Manifesting the Phillies, but the easiest answer is the field. Very few teams wouldn’t take a true CF who is a capable hitter.
Come on Rubenstein open your wallet or put your Magna Carta up for sale.
I bet he will blame the dodgers again for making him look cheap
How does nearly doubling the payroll in his very first year as owner make him look cheap?
Angels. Classic.
Buy free agent outfielder after a career year, owner.
If not him, I see the Angels with Grisham.
Im jaded over their history 70’s-2020.
Maybe they aren’t the same. Pretty sure they are.
There is a place for Harrison Bader on every major league roster.
Not really. Red Sox are certainly not looking for another outfielder
Nope, not every roster. No
Bhagwan is coming
Looks like a landslide for a Different Team.
They do need the defensive help, as their only current star is Cash Considerations.
We all know he’s a bat first guy.
Their other star is a Player To Be Named Later.
I was thinking Royals personally.
They could use a lot of everything
He wants to play in New York. I know that hes already had a turn with both the Mets and Yankees but I think he goes back to one of them. Yankees is my guess.
Brewers need him badly. Chourio can not play CF. Perkins can not be a part of a two man dead spot at the bottom of the batting order. The Brewers have a history of turning to over 30 free agent center fielders to carry them for a few years, and they have no one ready in their system. Bader has always hit well in Milwaukee, and his personality would fit perfectly.
Milwaukee has 4-5 legit CF options next year depending on when Lara is ready, all 3 of Mitchell, Perkins and Lara are incredible defenders there. If they are adding any OF, it would be a corner type because they could use some more pop in the lineup.
Rant. Tldr.
Why dont the Rockies ever go after Baders, before they become Baders ?
High floor with potential.
Looking through COL roster, and minors,
There are so MANY carbon copies of, low low floor, over the decade.
Average or below hitting tools, some power, some speed. Just get guys that can at least do something to hang their hat on.