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On Wednesday, the Twins reportedly addressed their most glaring need by signing Harrison Bader to a one-year contract for a bit over $6 million. He provides terrific outfield defense and a platoon bat to face left-handed pitchers. With Austin Martin and Michael Helman as the only internal options for that role, this move makes sense. That's the simplest test of any move, and this one passes with flying colors. Apply a more stringent standard, though, and cracks appear.
What Bader Provides
As Twins Daily has covered, Bader's principal skill is his defense in center field. Should Byron Buxton need a day off or get hurt and be out for a month, Bader provides excellent backup. When he plays in an outfield corner, his glove should be downright elite.
The veteran may also provide some skill on the basepaths. However, his baserunning metrics were average (or worse) for the first time in his career in 2024, likely heavily impacted by his poor 68% success rate on stolen bases, in 25 attempts. Bader has been comfortably above-average against lefties, looking at his career as a whole. However, he was poor overall at the plate last year, with an 85 wRC+ (100 is average)—and he was worse against southpaws than righties, posting a 70 wRC+ against them.
What the Twins Need
Minnesota certainly needs a capable center fielder to play behind Byron Buxton, after last year's group at that position (outside of Buxton) was terrible defensively. Despite his defense, though, Bader’s flaws at the plate are a big issue.
This team’s lineup is riddled with hitters who are hard to rely on, due to inconsistent performance, poor health records, or both. Matt Wallner is the only hitter on the team who has hit throughout his career and hasn't dealt with significant injury issues in the last year. Even then, many fans question his sustainability due to a few massive slumps and his high-strikeout profile.
For a team shouldering so much risk on the offensive side of the ball, somebody who has consistently hit lefties just made sense for this role. It is true, however, that each run Bader will save in center is as good as one created at the plate.
Alternatives to Bader
There were other free agents with more offense-focused skill sets from the right side of the plate whom the Twins could have targeted. Austin Hays, Ramón Laureano, and Randal Grichuk signed for less than Bader and are true lefty mashers. But the Twins opted to go with the defensive profile, despite almost no offensive upside.
If the Twins can get strong offensive performances from their core pieces, Bader will fill in nicely and be a great role player. However, if health is an issue and the Twins don't get bounce-backs from their young players who struggled down the stretch, Bader could be a frustrating piece amid a sputtering offense.
Do you think the Twins were right to sign Bader over the more offensive-focused players?
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