It is rare in sports, and in life in general, that you see a partnership work out equally well for both partners. For the New York Mets and Harrison Bader, they seem to have struck a perfect chord, as he has flourished this season. The Mets signed Bader this past offseason to a one year, $10.5 million contract to man center field. He was signed with the expectation that he would provide stellar defense, and that the tradeoff would be that he would not provide much on the offensive side of the ball. Not only has he played an exceptional center field so far this season, but he has provided a noticeable spark at the bottom of the lineup that has given this team a lengthy offense during their resurgence this season.
The story seemed like it had been published for Bader and his career thus far. He was a truly gifted center fielder who couldn’t quite put it together at the plate, and couldn’t quite stay out of the trainer’s room. The injury issue has been especially prevalent for Bader the past two seasons, where he’s played first 86 games in 2022, and then 98 games in 2023. With that in mind, the Mets knew they were taking a risk by signing him, but also had in mind that it could potentially be a bridge year between him and either Jett Williams or Luis Angel Acuna. Despite the noise around Bader, he has nonetheless been spectacular for this team.
To start, the stellar defense has come exactly as advertised for Bader. According to ratings by Fangraphs, Bader has been the best defensive National League center fielder. His contribution has added to the Mets becoming extremely strong up the middle of the field on defense. With Lindor being ranked as the top defensive shortstop in the game this season, and the tandem of Fransisco Alvarez and Luis Torrens shoring things up behind the plate, the Mets have an argument to be one of the best middle-fielding teams in baseball.
Perhaps the most pleasant surprise with Bader has been his efficient output at the plate, especially his increased power. Prior to this season Bader’s best offensive year was 2021, a year that he slugged 16 home runs and registered a .785 OPS in 401 plate appearances. That season, Bader was only able to appear in 103 games. This year, in 281 plate appearances, Bader has already registered 8 home runs and a .774 OPS.
What has stood out the most this season offensively for Bader has been his extreme opposite splits. As a right-handed batter, Bader has traditionally performed better against lefties, with his career OPS over 100 percentage points higher than it is against lefties. For whatever reason this season Bader has performed significantly better against right-handed pitching than he has against right-handed pitching. The difference for Bader is once again most stark in OPS, where he has a .827 mark against righties, and a .584 mark against lefties.
There is also something to be said for a player returning back to his home to play for the local team and succeeding. It has been widely publicized that Bader is a Bronxville native and Horace Man graduate, but there seems to be an added sense of pride when Bader takes the field in New York. There have been many stories of athletes who have returned to their hometown to play for their local teams only to succumb to the pressure that being a native can provide. For Bader, playing his second stint in New York City, he seems right at home. In addition to the hometown pride, Bader’s game could have also received a boost as a result of playing with his old Florida Gators teammate Pete Alonso.
Whether it is playing in his hometown or with an old teammate, Bader has certainly been a welcome addition to this Mets team. He has provided superb defense at a premium position, delivered a spark at the bottom of the lineup and, knock on wood, has been healthy enough to write his name on the lineup card consistently. In a season where he was signed to be a stopgap for future pieces and potentially be a trade piece at the deadline, Bader has performed like he has been an important part of the team for years. While Bader is not likely to be a long-term solution for the Mets in center, hopefully he can use this opportunity to get a great contract somewhere.
It would seem foolish not to resign Bader given how he has played and that it allows Nimmo to play left field, a spot more suited for his throwing arm. I had no issue with Nimmo in CF as he made himself a much better fielder, but the current arrangement makes the defense that much stronger. If one of the aforementioned kids was ready to move up, they could play RF, which is currently the black hole in the Mets lineup. With Bader, the dollars are certainly appropriate and a bargain for what they got out of him. An attempt to resign after the trade deadline comes and goes would be smart because he will cost a lot more if he gets to exercise his free agency.
Dalton, your last line and Stephen’s comment was my thought throughout the piece. Bader got a one year deal for a reason. So, if he stays healthy, would you want the Mets to give him a three year deal? A two year deal? I would think about a two year deal but wouldn’t be open to a three year deal. He hasn’t been healthy and hasn’t been productive in three years. The Mets need to slash costs. If they keep Alonso, then that’s another $23-$25MM to add to Nimmo, Lindor, Marte, Diaz, whatever starting pitcher they sign, and $15MM each for Senga and McNeil. I don’t think there is room at the inn for Bader. That’s a potential $180MM or so for next year deal before Verlander, before Bonilla, before the other salaries. I’m hoping Gilbert or Acuna can handle CF, and we warmly thank Pinky for he has done.