BREAKING: Twins Agree to One-Year Deal With Outfielder Harrison Bader

[nicksaviking]

1 hour ago, Twins_Fan_in_NJ said:

Agreed. But, it is what it is until there's new ownership.

I don't think ownership is an issue in this case. I get that there is a large percentage of fans that want the back up CF to be a glove first player. It's fair, it's just not what I want. 

But those guys are cheap regardless of ownership's prerogative. Even the Pirates can afford to pay defensive only players. There just aren't enough offensive capable CFs in the league; if you can hit and play a passable CF, you're going to be a starter.

With Buxton often injured, I want a guy with a bat to be the backup option, even if he turns the stomach of the defensive crowd. And if you can't get the surefire bat, give me anybody with the upside for a impact bat. So at this point, I'm OK going with Castro as the backup. I don't have high hopes for Martin, but at least there is a hint of potential. Of course the real goal is for E-Rod to be that guy. Signing a vet like Bader is going to significantly reduce that chance.

[sweetmusicviola16]

I don't like that his defense in Center is regressing to average. Still good in the corners, sure. But why would you ever want his bat in the corners? Would have preferred we just stay within the organization. But I'll cheer for it to work. Call me a doubter though.

[NeverSeenATwinsPlayoffWin]

Bader has three very good tools, and is going to be in the bad-to-average range at the plate.

It likely won’t move the needle much, but he’s a better signing than any of the other remaining free agents. Hopefully he plays like 2023 MAT and we can talk about how valuable this signing was. 

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

1 minute ago, nicksaviking said:

I don't think ownership is an issue in this case. I get that there is a large percentage of fans that want the back up CF to be a glove first player. It's not what I want, but it's fair. 

But those guys are cheap regardless of ownership's prerogative. Even the Pirates can afford to play defensive only players. There just aren't enough offensive capable CFs in the league' if you can hit and pay a passable CF, you're going to be a starter.

With Buxton often injured, I want a guy with a bat to be the backup option, even if he turns the stomach of the defensive crowd. And if you can't get the surefire bat, give me anybody with the upside for a impact bat. So at this point, I'm OK going with Castro as the backup. I don't have high hopes for Martin, but at least there is a hint of potential. Of course the real goal is for E-Rod to be that guy. Signing a vet like Bader is going to significantly reduce that chance.

Yeah, that's the bigger issue though - the Twins never seem to be in a rush to get their prospects up to the majors. I'd love to see what E-Rod can do, but just not happening without a shift in organizational philosophies. If it wasn't Bader, it would be someone else.

[ashbury]

Much better than signing Canha.

[GNess]

If Bader manages to hit with a bit of pop like Taylor did and plays a good CF this will prove to be a solid addition. I think the Twins are once again cobbling together a competitive team that can contend for the Division and/or a Wild Card Spot. As annoying as it is for them to wait so long to make moves.

With the surplus arms in the BP and rotation I suspect a few more moves may be coming.

[tony&rodney]

11 minutes ago, Twins_Fan_in_NJ said:

They won 82 games last year and that was with Correa, Lewis and Ryan missing extended periods of time. Admittedly, the first two names aren't going to be confused with Cal Ripken in terms of durability, but the ceiling is higher than 86 wins, IYAM.

Place your bet.

[chpettit19]

17 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

This looks a lot like the trade for Margot last season. Perhaps we can just wish that signing Bader allows for the Twins to push through and find a decent deal with Preller to bring Cease to the Twins. As is, the team looks close to a 82-86 wins squad at best. I'm losing hope.

He has a significantly better glove than Margot, so I'll give him credit for at least bringing something to the table. But, overall, it's another uninspiring "floor" move that adds nothing to the ceiling. At least that's how I see it.

[nicksaviking]

10 minutes ago, NeverSeenATwinsPlayoffWin said:

Bader has three very good tools, and is going to be in the bad-to-average range at the plate.

It likely won’t move the needle much, but he’s a better signing than any of the other remaining free agents. Hopefully he plays like 2023 MAT and we can talk about how valuable this signing was. 

Which is why I didn't care for them to sign any free agents. They didn't have to sign guys just to sign guys.

And MAT was not good in 2023. He had a 35% K rate and a .278 OBP. I know many people didn't notice at the time, but he was a huge offensive black hole. It made zero sense why Joey Gallo was such a dog but people were singing MATs praises. They were the SAME player.

[Brock Beauchamp]

46 minutes ago, Twins_Fan_in_NJ said:

He can't be any worse than Margot....right?

[CRF]

Light years better than Margot. Good insurance for when Buck gets hurt again...and he will. 

[Brock Beauchamp]

Yikes.

[chpettit19]

8 minutes ago, Whitey333 said:

Interesting move.  Always seem to be trying to find someone to cover for Buxton.  Maybe it's just time to dump Buxton instead of always having to use a roster spot for his backup.

I'm pretty sure every team has a backup center fielder in some way, shape, or form. It's how Bader stays in the majors, actually. You can dump Buxton and replace him with a different player for up to 15 mil a year, but then you're dropping the production during the 80ish games he'd play pretty significantly and still having a Bader or MAT type backup anyways because you can't (or shouldn't) just put any guy out in center.

[tony&rodney]

1 minute ago, chpettit19 said:

He has a significantly better glove than Margot, so I'll give him credit for at least bringing something to the table. But, overall, it's another uninspiring "floor" move that adds nothing to the ceiling. At least that's how I see it.

I feared this type of signing just as I fear Falvey getting fleeced in a trade. Will the other shoe drop?

The Twins have a really good player to step in and play centerfield. His name is Emmanuel Rodriguez and he can play LF or RF too as his regular gig. Seems like the Twins do not believe in EmRod and they might as well trade him to give him an opportunity elsewhere. Maybe a prospect for prospect deal. ... Milwaukee, Kansas City, Pittsburgh.

[miracleb]

I would much rather have Austin Martin getting all of these at bats......

[tony&rodney]

2 minutes ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

Injured all year? He can be. Don't bet on it.

[LA Vikes Fan]

Classic 4th Outfielder.  Good glove, can play at least a solid CF, not much of a hitter. Hopefully Buxton will be healthy enough so that Bader gets 250 ABs or less in CF. The only way he should play in the corners much at all is if his bat against LH is his 2023 bat (.299/.361/.575 (.936)), and not his 2024 bat against LHs (.204/.261/.350 (.612)). Also this means there isn't room for Martin and Keirsey on the 26 man roster absent a trade, although they will both undoubtedly get shots in 2025 due to injury.. Makes one curious as to whether they are part of an upcoming trade to open up the 40 man for Coulombe and Bader. 

[DJL44]

This signing should push Willi Castro into the infield more often and I think that's a good thing. He could be playing a lot of 2B.

If the Twins go with Bader/Buxton/Wallner for defense, then nobody is trying to take an extra base.

Keirsey is the big loser here. He's back in AAA and may not get an opportunity with Emmanuel Rodriguez about to pass him on the depth chart.

[sweetmusicviola16]

3 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

He has a significantly better glove than Margot, so I'll give him credit for at least bringing something to the table. But, overall, it's another uninspiring "floor" move that adds nothing to the ceiling. At least that's how I see it.

Bader has a +1 drs in the last 3 years. A 78 wRC in the span. It is what it is. I'm also in the camp that this keeps Emrod in the minors again. Unless they swing a deal with Larnach for example.

Agreed, uninspiring.

[nicksaviking]

2 minutes ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

Yikes.

What the........

Unfollow.

[USAFChief]

5 minutes ago, miracleb said:

I would much rather have Austin Martin getting all of these at bats......

I was thinking just the opposite.

Bader ain't much, but if he keeps Martin out of the OF it's a giant upgrade.

[bean5302]

59 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

Ugh, well there goes 400 PA to a guy who can't hit. Offense is taking a step back and the offense is what was the biggest concern this offseason.

Hits a heck of a lot better than Manny Margot did last year, and he can play defense.

[tony&rodney]

A couple of stats people on TD love are WAR and OPS+. Bader was ok, just ok, in ...... 2021. He is as likely to have an OPS of starting with a 5 than one starting with a 6. When teams carried 10 pitchers they also carried late inning defensive replacements like Bader. Could be a trend. 

[bean5302]

Bader is a serviceable full time CF. Very good defense, poor hitter. At $6MM, makes sense for a Byron Buxton backup. I have no idea what the payroll target for this team actually is. Not sure if this has a significant impact on Castro. I agree with comments comparing Bader to Michael A. Taylor. Fairly similar in terms of value at the plate and value in the field expectations prior to each joining the Twins.

[nicksaviking]

3 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

Hits a heck of a lot better than Manny Margot did last year, and he can play defense.

Prior to last year, Margot was a better hitter than Bader pretty much every season. This guy cannot hit. His OPS has been under .660 each of the last three seasons.

[Hubie29]

As far as the Twins organization goes, this is almost a blockbuster deal. Can't get upset with making this move. We know that we aren't going to make anything bigger until the team is sold. I think a new name in the lineup is a positive all by itself. 

[ashbury]

15 minutes ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

Yikes.

Yikes indeed.  This does reduce my enthusiasm.  It's our Big Off-season Signing?  Well, I wasn't expecting one anyway.

I do expect Bader will contribute more than Margot did.  Bader hit better in 2024 as a substitute than as a starter, so that already is auspicious.

[thelanges5]

10 minutes ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

Yikes.

Either somebody is on their way out or the Ishbias are already pumping money into this thing ⚾️

[Irishman]

Yikes!  Another horrible signing..... Yawn......................................

[nicksaviking]

4 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

A couple of stats people on TD love are WAR and OPS+. Bader was ok, just ok, in ...... 2021. He is as likely to have an OPS of starting with a 5 than one starting with a 6. When teams carried 10 pitchers they also carried late inning defensive replacements like Bader. Could be a trend. 

He's getting paid 6M. He's going to be more than a late inning defensive replacement. In fact with veteran Max Kepler gone, barring injury, I'd put my money on him having at least the 3rd most PA of any outfielder for the Twins this year.

This team does not sign veteran players and let them sit on the bench for more than one game at a time.