When the Philadelphia Phillies traded for Harrison Bader ahead of the 2025 deadline, the organization was looking for a player to provide some pop in the lineup and play solid defense at any of the three outfield positions.

That’s exactly what the Phillies got, but Bader played so well last season that he opted out of his contract earlier this week to become a free agent and hopefully find a more lucrative and long-term deal on the open market.

Even though the 31-year-old backed out of his current contract, that doesn’t mean his time in Philadelphia is over. The Phillies would be wise to seek a reunion with Bader and bring him back to the team for another stint. 

Bader Helps With Philadelphia’s Outfield Depth

The Phillies have stars all throughout their roster, but the outfield still remains an area of concern, especially if Castellanos’ time with the team is over. Excluding Castellanos, the only outfielders the Phillies have are Brandon Marsh, Johan Rojas, and Weston Wilson on the active roster.

Philadelphia must address the outfield depth this offseason anyway.

Why not bring back a player who is a terrific defender (ranked in the 92nd percentile in outs above average) and has some previous experience playing at Citizens Bank Park?

Bader’s Impact on the Phillies’ Lineup

Bader only played in 50 games with Philadelphia after the trade deadline, but he certainly made his presence known in the lineup over those eight weeks.

As a member of the Phillies, Bader recorded a .305/.361/.462 slash line with a .824 OPS, including 11 doubles and five home runs.

Going back to the current outfield depth, Bader also gives the Phillies a different look in their lineup. Yes, Bader is a right-handed hitter, but he also has reverse splits, meaning he hits better against right-handed pitchers compared to lefties.

Last year, Bader had a .845 OPS against righties, and that’s something the Phillies could use to their advantage. 

The Risk of Bringing Back Bader

There’s always a risk in signing a free agent, and Bader certainly comes with a few of them.

To start, the 31-year-old likely isn’t looking for a one or two-year deal on the open market. Coming off a career-best year, Bader would likely want a three-to-five-year commitment from any team offering him a contract. 

Philadelphia may not be interested in committing that many years to the veteran, especially considering his injury history. 

Even though Bader played in over 140 games in the last two seasons, he had the tenacity to spend a lot of time on the sideline during the beginning part of his career. 

The Phillies got a little taste of that during the playoffs, with Bader dealing with a groin injury during the postseason. He gets credit for fighting through it, and obviously, Bader can’t control his injuries, but it’s still a reality that any team looking to sign him must consider.

All in all, the Phillies need to add to the outfield anyway, and Bader is one of the top free agents at the position this offseason. A reunion would make sense if Bader and the Phillies can come to an agreement on a two-to-three-year deal.