The Kansas City Royals are in the market for outfield help this winter-specifically, a pair of corner outfielders. That much has been clear for a while now. But as free agency unfolds, one name continues to rise to the top of the Royals' potential wish list: Harrison Bader.
And if Kansas City does end up signing Bader, it shouldn’t just be about filling a corner outfield spot. This is a chance to embrace versatility in a big way.
Let’s start with the bat. Bader is coming off the best offensive season of his career, and that’s saying something for a guy who’s long been known more for his glove than his stick.
In 2025, he posted career highs in batting average (.277), OPS (.796), home runs (17), RBIs (54), and wRC+ (122) over 501 plate appearances split between the Twins and Phillies. That’s not just a nice bounce-back year-that’s a legitimate step forward.
For a Royals outfield that finished dead last in baseball with a 73 wRC+ and second-to-last with a .633 OPS, that kind of offensive production would be a massive upgrade. Kansas City didn’t just struggle at the plate last year-they were nearly unwatchable in the outfield offensively. Bader’s bat alone would be a welcome injection of life.
But here’s where it gets even more interesting: Bader didn’t just hit. He played elite defense-again.
He posted 13 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS), 6 Outs Above Average (OAA), and a 5 Fielding Run Value (FRV) across all three outfield positions. That kind of defensive flexibility is rare, and it’s exactly what makes Bader such a compelling fit for a Royals team that needs more than just a bat in left or right field.
Last season, Bader logged 81 games in center field and 75 combined in left and right. That balance is important. He’s not just a center fielder who can survive in the corners-he’s someone who can legitimately thrive across the entire outfield.
Now, Royals GM J.J. Picollo has said the team is looking for an everyday left fielder and a right-handed platoon partner in right field to pair with Jac Caglianone.
Bader checks both boxes. He’s right-handed, he can hit, and he can defend.
But if Kansas City does bring him in, they shouldn’t limit his role to just filling one of those needs. There’s an opportunity here to do more.
Center field is still a question mark. Kyle Isbel handled the bulk of the duties last season-about 70% of the at-bats, to be exact-and while he’s a strong defender with Gold Glove-caliber ability, the offensive numbers just haven’t been there. Isbel hit .255, which is serviceable for a bottom-of-the-order bat, but his .654 OPS and 79 wRC+ dragged down an already struggling lineup.
That’s where Bader could make a real difference. He wouldn’t have to take over center field full-time, but he could form a right-handed platoon with Isbel that gives the Royals more offensive punch without sacrificing defense. It’s a hybrid role that makes a lot of sense-especially for a team that needs to squeeze value out of every roster spot.
So yes, the Royals need corner outfield help. That’s obvious.
But they also need to think bigger. They need to find players who can solve multiple problems at once.
In Bader, they’d be getting a player who can hit, defend, and move around the outfield without missing a beat.
That kind of versatility isn’t just a bonus-it’s a blueprint for building a more complete, more competitive roster.
And right now, Harrison Bader might just be the perfect piece to start putting that puzzle together.