The New York Yankees have made a significant move, placing center fielder Harrison Bader on waivers, according to sources from The Athletic. Here are the details:
Bader, who is 29 years old, is currently in the final year of a two-year, $10.4 million contract and is set to become a free agent at the end of the season. This move by the Yankees makes him eligible to be claimed by another team before the August 31 deadline.
This season, Bader has struggled at the plate, posting a batting average of .242, an on-base percentage of .279, and a slugging percentage of .370 in 82 games for the Yankees. His wRC+ (weighted runs created plus) of 54 since July 4 is the fourth-worst in the league among qualified hitters.
If another team claims Bader before midnight on August 31, he will be eligible to play in the postseason for his new team. Additionally, the Yankees will save nearly $1 million if Bader is picked up by another club.
The Athletic’s analysis suggests that this move by the Yankees is part of their ongoing youth movement. With Bader set to become a free agent and his offensive performance not meeting expectations, the team no longer saw him as a necessity. While he is known for his excellent defensive skills, his batting has been deemed suspect, with a OPS+ of only 73 since joining the Yankees.
It is worth noting that the Yankees may now be regretting their decision not to trade Bader at the deadline, as they face an uphill battle to make the playoffs. The article also mentions the Yankees’ trade last year, in which they acquired Bader from the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for lefty starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery. Despite Bader’s contributions on defense and in the playoffs, Montgomery has seemingly provided better value with his strong performances this season.
With Bader’s departure, the Yankees now have the opportunity to call up two of their top prospects, catcher Austin Wells and outfielder Jasson Domínguez, for the final month of the season. The team is fully committed to their youth movement, as the playoffs are no longer within reach. The opening in center field left by Bader’s departure could provide an opportunity for Domínguez, a 20-year-old with promising potential, to showcase his skills and potentially make the Opening Day roster in 2024.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone has expressed confidence in Domínguez, praising his talent and performance in the minors. Domínguez has been performing well, going 11-for-23 with 10 RBIs and just two strikeouts in 27 plate appearances with Triple-A Scranton.
As the Yankees make these changes and look towards the future, fans and analysts will be keeping a close eye on the team’s top prospects and how they can potentially contribute to the team’s success.