San francisco Giants fans, brace yourselves: a significant defensive upgrade is on the way. Outfielder Harrison Bader and the Giants have reached an agreement on a two-year, $20.5 million deal, according to a report from MLB Network insider Jon Heyman on Monday. The deal, pending a physical, aims to address a glaring weakness in the team’s outfield.
The Giants’ outfield defense tied for last in Major League Baseball with -18 Outs Above Average (OAA) in 2025.Bader, a Gold Glove-caliber center fielder, is expected to promptly bolster that area. Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee indicated he is willing to move to a corner spot to make room for Bader.
“Without a doubt, defensively, I wanted to sharpen up my skills there,” Lee said via interpreter Brian Kang at the Giants’ FanFest Tour stop in San Ramon on Saturday. “A lot of my training in the offseason focused on my work on my defense and in the outfield. I’m really happy about the strides I made and excited about next season.”
A Career Year Propels Bader to the Bay
The 31-year-old outfielder is coming off his most productive season, setting personal bests in multiple offensive categories.
- Bader set career highs in plate appearances (501), home runs (17), on-base percentage (.347), and OPS (.796) in 2025.
- He recorded a wins above Replacement (WAR) of 4, matching his previous career high from 2021.
- Bader’s strong defensive skills and speed could address key needs for the Giants.
- He split the 2025 season between the Minnesota Twins and the Philadelphia Phillies.
- the Giants have been active this offseason, adding several players to their roster.
Bader’s arrival comes after a 2025 season split between the Minnesota Twins and the Philadelphia Phillies. He began the year with Minnesota after signing a one-year deal, but was traded to Philadelphia at the Trade Deadline. With the Phillies, Bader truly thrived, hitting .305/.361/.463 with five home runs and 16 RBIs in 50 games, providing a spark with his high-energy style of play.
Unfortunately, a hamstring injury in Game 1 of the NL Division Series against the Dodgers limited Bader’s impact in the postseason. Despite the injury, he finished the season with 7 Outs Above Average, tied for 18th among all outfielders, according to Statcast.
Beyond his defensive prowess, Bader brings speed to the Giants’ lineup. He ranked in the 85th percentile in sprint speed, potentially addressing another area of need for San Francisco, which ranked 29th in the Majors with only 68 stolen bases in 2025.
The Giants have been busy this offseason, also adding veteran starters Adrian houser and Tyler Mahle, relievers Sam Hentges and Jason Foley, and Rule 5 catcher Daniel Susac. They are also reportedly exploring potential upgrades at second base, with players like Brendan Donovan (Cardinals), Nico Hoerner (Cubs), and CJ abrams (Nationals) as potential targets.
