Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Harrison Bader runs in from the outfield after a win over the Detroit Tigers at Citizens Bank Park on August 3, 2025. (Grace Del Pizzo/On Pattison)
Harrison Bader declined his half of a $10 million mutual option for 2026, meaning he is now a free agent after a tremendous half season with the Phillies.
This decision from Bader does not mean he won't return to the Phillies next year, just that other teams will get to bid on his services as well. From a financial standpoint, it was a no-brainer. Bader will be paid a $3 million buyout on the option, and now have the chance to get at least $10 million annually on a multi-year deal in free agency.
Bader split this past season between the Minnesota Twins and Phillies. He put up arguably the best offensive campaign of his career, posting a .796 OPS, a significantly higher mark that his career average of .714. Bader was particularly effective after being traded to the Phillies, as he hit .305 in 50 games following the deal.
While Bader's bat has always been a bit of a question mark, there's never been a question about his ability to play in the outfield. He mostly played in left field in Minnesota because the Twins had Byron Buxton in center field. But he easily made the transition back to center field when he joined the Phillies. In total, Bader posted 13 defensive runs saved and six outs above average in the outfield this past season, per FanGraphs.
Unfortunately for Bader and the Phillies, he sustained a left hamstring injury during Game 1 of the NLDS, which limited him to only being able to pinch hit during what turned out to be the final three games of the postseason.
Harrison Bader to @TyDaubert on his time with the Phillies and future as he heads to free agency
(Via @TimKellySports) pic.twitter.com/8ZMm3bJoUE
Nonetheless, Bader provided both great production and an edge in his limited time with the Phillies. He was asked after the Phillies were eliminated from the postseason whether he could see himself returning to the team in 2026.
"Yeah, absolutely," Bader said. "I've said this a lot — I think winning baseball and winning culture and wanting to win I think is a universal language. And I don't think the uniform really kinda defines that. I think being dealt into a clubhouse where a lot of guys, if you will, speak that same language, I think it was very easy for me to fit in."
Clearly there was a recognition from Bader in his answer that he's become something of a mercenary. He just completed his ninth MLB season, having previously played for the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees, Cincinnati Reds, New York Mets and Twins before coming to the Phillies. He enjoyed his time with the Phillies, and definitely seemed interested in potentially returning. But he's become well aware of how much things can change season-to-season in the majors and that some things are out of his control.
Whether or not the 31-year-old returns to the Phillies likely depends on whether Dave Dombrowski and company believe that top prospect Justin Crawford can stick in center field. The team that places the winning offer for Bader will likely view him as a center fielder. If the Phillies think Crawford is going to be their center fielder, re-signing Bader would make much less sense. But if they view Crawford as their long-term left fielder, then bringing Bader back to play center field would make quite a bit of sense.
The outfield for the Phillies is very much in flux this winter. Beyond Crawford and Bader, Max Kepler is unlikely to be re-signed, Nick Castellanos' relationship with the Phillies seems irreconcilable and Brandon Marsh could be one of the more valuable trade candidates the team has to offer.
