*This is a prediction*
As the 2026 MLB offseason progresses, some of the bigger-name free agents are starting to sign, but some key free agents still remain available, and one of them is Harrison Bader.
For a team looking for outfield help that isn’t able to land either Kyle Tucker or Cody Bellinger, they can look to sign Harrison Bader as an option to still get the impact needed from the outfield slot.
With a return to the Philadelphia Phillies seeming unlikely, the team that can make a true push to sign Harrison Bader is the New York Yankees.
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The New York Yankees need outfield help this offseason. Trent Grisham signed his qualifying offer, leading to him retaking his spot in center field, and Aaron Judge has right field locked down, but Jasson Dominguez hasn’t shown the progress that the Yankees wouldve hoped to have seen by now to feel secure in him taking over for Cody Bellinger.
For the Yankees, they are expected to make the playoffs, and they need production from each spot on the field for them to maintain their status as contenders. If they are unsuccessful at bringing Bellinger back, Harrison Bader presents them with the next best option.
Harrison Bader has familiarity with the Yankees, as he played there for part of the 2022 season, and then the first half of the 2023 season. Over that span, he had a .237/.274/.353 slash line with seven home runs and 46 RBIs.
At 30 years old, Harrison Bader has the experience, and has consistently shown the capabilities of being an impactful player with his elite defense, speed, and offensive pop to bring a boost to the offense, all of which are things that the Yankees value and need. Bringing Bader back after a successful 2025 season in which he had a .277/.347/.449 slash line with 17 home runs, and 54 RBIs would be ideal for New York.
