The Cardinals’ Winter Warmup fan event is this weekend, and newly-minted president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom took questions directly from fans as part of the festivities. As noted by Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, one of those questions was about former Cardinals (and current free agent) Harrison Bader‘s availability on the market. In his response to that question, Bloom suggested that the same has “room” for a right-handed outfielder on the roster before acknowledging that Bader is a possibility to fill that void. Bloom declined to discuss Bader’s asking price, or any other specifics of contract talks.
It’s worth emphasizing that Bader, 32 in June, was the direct subject of the question Bloom was asked. That makes him being named as a potential fit less meaningful than it would be in other circumstances, though he would certainly be a solid addition for the club that took him in the third round of the 2015 draft. Bader ended his Cardinals career back in 2022, when he was traded to the Yankees in exchange for Jordan Montgomery over the summer. He left the Cardinals with a career .246/.320/.409 slash line, good for a wRC+ of 98. That roughly average offense was paired with elite defense in center field and a handful of stolen bases, and the outfielder was coming off a particularly strong 2021 campaign where he won a Gold Glove in center field and posted a 108 wRC+ with 16 homers in just 103 games.
Bader has generally struggled since leaving St. Louis, with lackluster stints playing for the Yankees, Reds, and Mets across the 2023 and ’24 seasons. With that being said, however, 2025 proved to be a career year for him. After signing with the Twins, he spent most of his time in left field out of deference to incumbent star Byron Buxton, but Bader managed to make up for the drop down the defensive spectrum with his bat. He hit a respectable .258/.339/.439 during his time in Minnesota, then kicked things up a notch when he was traded to Philadelphia and moved back to center field. Over his final 50 games last season, Bader slashed an excellent .305/.361/.463. That brought his overall season line up to .277/.347/.449 (122 wRC+) in a career-high 146 games, with 17 homers, 11 stolen bases, and +7 Outs Above Average.
It was a very impressive season, to be sure, and in a free agent class that lacks much right-swinging outfield talent it was enough to make a multi-year deal a reasonable ask for Bader as he reached the open market. Early in the offseason, a reunion with the Phillies seemed like the most likely outcome, but the team instead opted to bring Adolis Garcia into the fold to round out their outfield mix. With Garcia poised to patrol right and top prospect Justin Crawford likely to open the season in center field, there isn’t much room for Bader in the Philadelphia outfield mix at this point. Bader’s market has been fairly quiet outside of those early rumors of a Phillies reunion, which could open the door for a team like the Cardinals to try and be opportunistic.
St. Louis is far from the only team that stands out as a plausible fit for Bader, of course. Reunions with the Mets and Yankees could make sense, as well, particularly if Cody Bellinger winds up signing elsewhere. The Royals, Rays, and Guardians could use outfield help, but might not have the resources to mount a substantial pursuit of Bader. The Diamondbacks and Giants have a bit more financial muscle to flex and could theoretically make room for an outfield addition, but may prefer to stick with their internal options. Austin Hays, Miguel Andujar, Chas McCormick, and Randal Grichuk are among the alternatives to Bader available in free agency for teams looking for a right-handed outfielder this winter.
I don’t understand why Philly didn’t immediately resign him. They need a RH OF as bad as anyone and he was so good for them down the stretch.
I thought the same, but I don’t think Bader helped his cause because I remember reading that he made some sort of negative comment about PHI on his way out the door. Maybe a Phillies fan can clarify what that was all about.
As a Phillies fan he did a good job for the time he was in Philly but he wanted a 2-3 year deal for about 35-40 million. For a guy who had a career year at 31, we don’t need another 30 plus guy on our team. Rather see them get younger than piss all that money on a journeyman player like Bader.
Yeah, like so many other players he peaked in his walk year. Now he’s most likely back to being the injury-prone outfielder he was before.
Bader has a history of injuries so he wants to lock in years but he seems like a $6m to $9m per guy to me. One thing not to forget though is how well he played for the Yankees in the playoffs.
As a Phillies fan, I can say he was a really good Phillie and guy we love bc of his hustle and energy. I think there should be room for him on this seasons’s team especially with a few unproven things like can Crawford be an everyday mlb player. Also, is Garcia going to be better than he’s been the last 2 seasons? Or is he this year’s max kepler?
I’m thinking he might have just wanted more money but after not signing Bichette, give him some cash and solidify the outfield. Bader is like a better human being version of having a ball player like Lenny Dykstra and everything energy wise Dykstra brought to the field with a touch of Aaron Rowand too.
Because him being good was an aberration and they were better off paying $10 million for one year of Adolis than $24 million for two years of Bader.
Crossing my fingers here. Hopefully they’ll sign ____?
Butter – Donovan for Rafaela is perfect for both teams. One more trade between the former CBO of the Boston Red Sox and future former CBO of the Boston Red Sox.
Fever, you would give up Rafaela for another lefty? Not me.
Trading RH Rafaela for LH Donovan makes no sense for the the LH heavy Red Sox.
Dewey – Donovan has hit better against LHP than Rafaela.
You are wildly underestimating Rafaella – who is already signed to a long term extension at a team friendly price – trade value.
Huh? Rafaela was literally the 2nd-worst hitter in MLB since July 14th. Until he can prove he can hit MLB pitching, he’s a glorified glove-only player.
I think Bader is going cost a little more this offseason. I could see Grichuk filling that need and price.
Before this report Grichuk was who I had in mind. It would be a pretty big drop off defensively when he has to handle center, but it won’t matter much in the standings.
Victor Scott in center
If he can hit the ball at an average level. He hasn’t yet but his career is young. I hope he makes it too.
The biggest reason for the Cardinals to sign a RH OF is so that Scott will then sit against most lefties, so yes, it should be someone who can handle CF at least better than Nootbaar does.
It’d be a nice full circle moment but let’s be honest…it’s not happening. The Cardinals have done nothing to show you they have any interest in adding a guy like this who probably has a few teams interested in him that have postseason aspirations this year
Teams with post season aspirations aren’t going to give him an everyday job. An everyday job is what will get him better pay in the future. Opportunity will over ride a small difference in pay.
The last 3 season teams did with various results. Coming off a great season he is looking for more stability. His foot speed is still way above average. A little pop and swipes some bags. A good team looking for run prevention or a bad team wanting to flip him.
The Cardinals probably won’t give him an everyday job, either, though. Against RHP, they have Nootbaar (or Donovan if Noot is the one traded) in LF, Scott in CF, Walker in RF, and Herrera at DH, and they would prefer not to restrict Walker to just a short-side platoon player at this point.
IF Noot is going to start the season on the IL, and IF Walker is going to start the season in the minors, then they absolutely should sign Bader.
I know Herrera wants to catch but I believe the best place for him and the team long term is LF. Even if this were to happen it still leaves room for Bader. Noot is likely to be traded once he gets healthy.
I believe old friend Tommy Pham is still available, but I don’t know if he burned his bridges in St. Louis. He’d be a cheap option and he would only be a one-year deal.
I thought about Pham too.
Nathan Church was bad in his short stint hitting in the OF last year, but fits the profile of this team giving opportunities to young players/prospect if Noot starts on the IL.
Church has a long way to, but this is the time to see if the kid can play in the majors, as far as hitting goes.
Winter Warmup is a great event in STL and Bloom is doing good things, but I also wonder how serious he would be in adding a short-term vet outfielder now. Seems like a non-commit answer to help keep fans positive during a cold weekend with fans looking for something to feel good about?
I think Church is going to be the primary left fielder until Noot returns. They’ll probably give Fermin and Saggese at-bats in left against left-handers.
Marmol admitted both infielders will get some time in the outfield at Winter Warmup.
I think most of this “right-handed outfielder” talk has been about giving Vic Scott a platoon partner in CF. Bader is probably too expensive. Some mentioned Grichik.
I’m thinking they’ll probably settle for another AAAA, jobber who can try to win a backup CF job.
@eat – Agree with all of that. And righty/lefty is important, but not as important as seeing which internal prospects/young guys can actually play.
Church and VS2 have nearly identical profiles, as far as hitting, speed, and general floor/upside. Both are stellar in the field in every way and are probably the two fastest guys on the team, but both grade low as far as power, unfortunately.
Church came along quickly in the minors in the last year+, so I think he should get another look. If he or VS2 can improve bat-to-ball skills, one could rise to becoming a good 4th outfielder, at some point.
Looking forward to getting a look at Josh Baez this spring.
Grichik is below replacement at this point in his career. If it’s just a platoon IL sub then yeah you get mininum aaaa guy.
I have always doubted Josh Baez, so what happens when I ignore him. He has a good year and gets a 40 man spot.
Herrera anywhere except Catcher, no defensive chops seen thus far. I haven’t seen an evaluation of his defense in LF in the few innings he put in at the position. I love his bat but where can he play defense even average.
At least Herrera can still DH most of the time if necessary.
That may be the best use of his services. I don’t like to see a young player pigeon-holed as a bat only but …
So we can watch another position change failure? Walker is actually athletic and forgot how to hit because he was focused on learning his new position. Herrera would probably be one of the worst OF in the league defensively and we’ll probably also see his bat regress just like Gorman and Walker.
I agree, only playing game will give us the answer.
Nootbaar won’t be out for long, if at all, and Walker isn’t going to start the season in the minors. They need to find out once and for all what they have with Walker.
We don’t know yet if Herrera can play an adequate left field, but either way, he’ll still be in the lineup almost every day, mostly at either LF or DH, possibly with only an occasional start at C.
If they do trade Nootbaar, it will either still be before the season starts, in which case they’ll keep Donovan instead, or it won’t be until close to the trade deadline.
All I’ve seen is the StL club and Nootbaar saying he will be ready opening day. I bet $0.01 he starts the season on the IL. It’s about 3 weeks until Spring Training opens, the 12th of February for pitchers and a couple of days later for all players invited and all players on the back fields only.
We “have room” for a platoon FA, with a $60 million payroll.
I hope to still see a couple veteran lottery relievers they can use towards the back end and flip at the deadline for more prospects if they preform well
“What would the Pirates Do?” Is our new motto.
You possess a cents of humor.
I hope they’re better than just “lottery” relievers like Stanek. Decent or even good non-closing relievers usually don’t cost that much on the free agent market.
An innings-eater starter should also still be on the offseason shopping list.
$60 M is an exaggeration. The Cardinals have around half of that still on the books both this year and next year just as dead money to Arenado, Gray, Contreras, and Pujols.
I didn’t realize we were still paying Pujols.
I believe we are going to be a bit over $60 million. A big bit.
Definitely feels like a guy who a team is going to buy low to try to flip at deadline. Plus defense and speed with slightly above average bat. Feels like a Ray’s or Marlins move.
Is he the new Grichuk? Bader has more speed and defense than Grichuk ever did but Grichuk has the stronger bat
On that note. I’m really surprised more teams don’t do that now. It’s less than a month from spring training. Low pressure ABs for slightly above average major leaguers to showcase or rebuild value.
Roster space is a thing.
Better than putting out kids who are not ready.
Bloom: Cardinals “Have Room” For Right-Handed “Outfielder”
What does it matter if the guy can throw left or right from the outfield?
I think they mean right hitting outfielder.
A perfect example is Austin Hays. An above average outfielder with the Orioles for 5 years. Post Orioles not so good. Then again he might think he is worth a raise over the 12M for 1 WAR he produced last year.
I don’t know I would think if I was some front office. I would have lowball offers to a lot of these guys as fallback. The clock is clicking.
Yes, I don’t think they are worth what they think they are worth.
On the other hand, I want players to get as much as they possibly can because of their short career span, says the guy who lives below the poverty line.
I’d be in on Castellanos. What is Philly going to do with his 1 yr. / 20M dollar contract in ’26?
He seems to have some value. You know he is working this off season. Age 34, his platform year, he could have something left in the tank and benefit in a new situation.
This is a guy who hit .309/.362/.576 with 34 homers in ’21.
He has had a few down years, can’t peg him for a repeat of ’21 but his floor of .250/.315/.425 isn’t all that bad.
I’d say Phillies could get 5M+ for Castellanos and he could put it together as he is likely seeking one more two year deal in ’27.
2021 is a long time ago in baseball.
He’s strictly a salary dump, will cost 17-18m for them to get rid.
He is a .250/.315/.425 hitter who is good for 20HRs and he can play RF.
He does have some upside. A resurgence isn’t out of the question. He was an all-star in ’23 too. A big effort this off-season, a renewed focus, a new situation on a rebuilding team without the pressure. He could have a big first half. He could hit 30 HRs this season and bring back a couple good prospects at the trade deadline.
He is essentially a FA but instead of a QO hindering his market he has a locked in deal and his agent, the Phillies front office, has to eat every dollar that they can’t unload on the market.
Teams have a lot of leverage over the Phillies but some team is going to pony up and I’d think there could be an offer coming in that is better than expected.
I disagree since most everyone seems to think he is cooked. I liked his bat but wasn’t paying attention in ’24 and ’25.
Talking about Castellanos.
But can he play CF? If not, he’s not what the Cardinals are looking for? If he can’t platoon with Scott, he’d just be blocking Walker. While that would make sense if the Cardinals were trying to contend, that’s not what they’re doing.
he might be released to make room for JTR this week. but then he will clear waivers and can sign where HE wants. i doubt he would choose STL over Cinn or Cleveland or Boston
He came up a. Cardinal and is loved there. I say he’d go back there in a heartbeat.
In St. Louis, if he has a good first half, he likely ends up in a pennent race.
It’s nice playing low pressure games in the summer. Can take it easy and the Cardinals are going to play him everyday because they want him to post some counting stats.
If he has a bad first half, he can go home the first of October.
If he is released and becomes a FA, it is likely that he gets paid on a 1 year deal. You’d think the Phillies could find a trade.
The fans never forgave his son not picking up the bat right. Might sound insane me saying this. I’ve just been an Eagles fan for 40 years. So I know the Philly meat heads.
That’s all great until you realize 2021 was 5 years ago. Castellanos might have something in the tank as a platoon COF/DH off the bench but even against LHPs he was below average last year with an 87 wRC+. At this point you’re hoping for a dead cat bounce which is rare. Phillies should just cut him, and free up the roster spot as he’s already a sunk cost. If that happens then maybe STL or somebody will give him a spring training invite for some extra leadership early on.
Shortside platoon corner bats just aren’t all that valuable. On the high end of that specific role, the Mariners just signed Refsnyder coming off of a 159 wRC+ vs. LHPs in 2025 to only $6.5M. No way Castellanos is worth even that right now.
Id trade for him and write a 5M check, start him on opening day and everyday into June. If he hits, great, if he doesn’t, start finding ABs for one of the reserves.
You’d also get fired from your GM job.
if it was a 1 yr. / 5M deal to Castellanos that gets me fired, I’d be happy about it.
Weird hill to die on but okay buddy
You die – I don’t believe in it. I have been fired on a few occassions.
I like your dead cat bounce usage. Official meanings use it for price moments but hey, what do they know.
Good one.
I’m pretty sure his numbers would drop going to a more pitchers park than two hitters parks.
Harrison Bader could also reunite with the New York Mets as well. A nice one year deal with an option isn’t unreasonable.
Time will tell …
If you’re Bader, do you sign with a rebuilding team who may be years away from being playoff caliber or do you sign with a potential contender? He’s already 32
You sign with the team that gives you the most money, of course. Just like you or me would.
It’s not like teams will be crazy millions apart in their offers for him.
Rebuilding team can just trade him to a contender in July.
And he will know that. But I believe he will take the largest money.
He going to hit his best bud, Breslow, up for Rafaela?
Sox aren’t trading Rafaela unless they get blown away by an offer, which is unlikely
Castellanos after the Phillies release him
Tyler O’Neill is probably available 🙂
Please. We will toss in a prospect or two and intl slot money too.
There is a reason why O’Neill is not a Cardinal.
For all the Orioles injures, manager firing, underperformance, deadline trading they still won 75 games. It was disappointing, but not rock bottom.
The problem with a guy like Bader and other slightly above average players when they have great walk years. They want the new team to pay the excessive value their old teams got. 4.75m+1.5m bo for 3.9 war. That was amazing and in the crazy world of sports he was criminally underpaid. The problem is the teams who got excessive value don’t want to retain his services. Honestly he is at the age where he is more likely to finish the rest of his career and not get another 3.9 total then get 3.9 this year.
Fun times for the Redbirds. Bring back Mr. LaRusa,or maybe Mr. Molina.
I see Jordan Montgomery mentioned in the article. Haven’t heard anything on him. He seems like a great buy low candidate. I wouldn’t be sad to see the Tigers check him out IF he’s healthy again.
Montgomery was decent in StL, but how long ago was that.
Great with St Louis and the Yanks and then the bottom fell out when he went to Arizona.
The problem with the Cardinals signing Bader is that he had too good of a year last year. Not only does that mean he could likely get a multi-year deal while the Cardinals would prefer a one-year contract, but the Cardinals will need to sit either him or Walker against right-handed pitching, especially if they don’t trade either Donovan or Nootbaar. Bader wouldn’t want the former, and the Cardinals would really not want to once again do the latter until they can finally determine once and for all whether Walker is a bust.
There shouldn’t be a comma before “as well.”