The Philadelphia Phillies make another splash before the 2025 MLB trade deadline adding gold glove centerfielder Harrison Bader.
Phillies Add Gold Glove Center Fielder to Solve Outfield Issue - Report originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Philadelphia Phillies have acquired Minnesota Twins' center fielder Harrison Bader in exchange for two prospects, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan, pending a medical review. Bader provides the Phillies with excellent center field defense and a solid bat to add depth to the lineup.
Bader is in his ninth year in the MLB. After spending the first five years of his career with the St. Louis Cardinals, Bader has spent time with now five different teams over the last four years.
The Phillies' new addition also brings postseason experience. Bader has played in the playoffs in five of his eight years so far, including with the New York Mets last season.
This season with the Twins, Bader is hitting .258 with a .778 OPS. Through 96 games, he has 12 home runs and 38 RBI, a 111 OPS+, and a WAR of 2.8, higher than any of the Phillies' outfielders.
Philadelphia's combination of Brandon Marsh and Johan Rojas in centerfield this season hasn't been getting the job done. The duo had combined to hit .243 with a .643 OPS.
Out of the current Phillies' outfield, HarrisonBader has:
— Shaun Nestor (@shaun_nestor) July 31, 2025
Highest OPS, SLG, OBP
Second-highest HR, H, RBI, SO, SB
It’s not the flashy move some people may want, but the Phillies' outfield has improved on paper in the last few hours. pic.twitter.com/J1bBGve3AT
The Phillies not only get an upgrade at the plate, but they add elite defense in center field with the addition of Bader.
In the trade, the Phillies will send outfield prospect Hendry Mendez and right-handed pitching prospect Geremy Villoria to the Twins. Mendez is ranked No. 12 in the Phillies' top prospects, and has hit .290 with an .808 OPS at Double-A Reading this season. Villoria is a 16-year-old Phillies' Rookie Affiliate.
After making the biggest splash so far on Wednesday afternoon with the addition of closer Jhoan Duran, the Phillies solved another issue Thursday with the addition of Bader in centerfield.
Related: MLB Insider Delivers Strong Take on Phillies Landing Twins Closer Jhoan Duran
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Baseball
