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Good defense is always helpful for a team. OF Harrison Bader and the New York Mets have agreed to a one year, $10.5 million contract, according to SNY's Andy Martino. The deal has been made official by the Mets.
Bader and Brandon Nimmo, two center fielders, now occupy the Mets roster, with both players likely getting a fair share of time in a corner outfield spot during the season as well. Bader brings great defensive upside, ranking in the 95th percentile in range, 91st percentile in arm strength, and 82nd percentile in arm value in 2023 according to baseball savant.
Last season, Bader split time with the New York Yankees and Cincinnati Reds as he struggled with the bat. He mustered a combined .232/.274/.348 slash line with a 69 OPS+, hitting 7 home runs and 12 doubles with 20 stolen bases and 40 RBI's in 98 games.
New York president of baseball operations David Stearns said in a statement that "We’re very happy to add Harrison to our team. He has continually distinguished himself as one of the best defenders in baseball and can help us win games in a variety of different ways. He’s a native New Yorker who knows what baseball means to this city and our fan base."
From 2018 to 2023, Bader accumulated 66 outs above average in the outfield, ranking first among all outfielders and 4th in all of baseball in that time, with the 3 players ahead of him all being shortstops. With the St. Louis Cardinals in 2021, Bader took home a gold glove for his work in center field.
Bader has played for the Cardinals, Reds, and Yankees in 7 years after debuting in 2017. He has a .243/.310/.396 slash line with a below average 92 OPS+ to his name, hitting 59 home runs and 87 doubles with 217 RBI's and 77 stolen bases in 635 games. He has a .250/.365/.538 slash line with 5 home runs and 9 RBI's in 19 playoff games.
With Jeff McNeil needed in the infield following an injury to Ronny Mauricio and Starling Marte having a history of lower body injuries in recent years, Bader adds another depth option to the Mets outfield. He'll pair with Nimmo, DJ Stewart, and recent acquisition Tyrone Taylor in the outfield as well as Marte.
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