The Milwaukee Brewers head into 2026 with one of the most exciting young outfields in baseball - at least on paper. Jackson Chourio is a budding star.
Sal Frelick brings energy and athleticism in right. But here’s the issue: beyond those two, the depth chart gets murky - fast.
Blake Perkins is a glove-first option who can cover ground but doesn’t offer much at the plate. Garrett Mitchell has flashed tantalizing upside, especially with his power-speed combo, but health has been a consistent hurdle.
Jake Bauers is a serviceable platoon bat who can fill in at the corners or first base, and Christian Yelich - let’s be honest - is more DH than outfielder at this point. Brandon Lockridge?
Solid as a late-inning defensive replacement, but not someone you pencil in for 120 games.
What the Brewers don’t have - and desperately need - is a third starting-caliber outfielder. That’s a problem for a team that just posted the best regular-season record in franchise history and is trying to take the next step into serious World Series contention.
Now, based on the Brewers’ recent history in free agency, it’s fair to assume they won’t be throwing big money at the problem. But if they were to make a move, there’s a name that fits the bill almost too perfectly: Harrison Bader.
Why Bader Makes Sense - And Why He Probably Won’t Happen
Bader isn’t in the Cody Bellinger or Kyle Tucker tax bracket. He’s not a superstar. But he’s exactly the kind of high-upside, mid-tier talent who could raise the floor and the ceiling of Milwaukee’s outfield.
He’s still a plus defender, even if he’s not quite the Gold Glove-level center fielder he once was. He’s got speed, he draws walks, and last season - his ninth in the big leagues, spent with the Twins and Phillies - he rediscovered his swing.
Bader slashed .277/.349/.449 with 17 home runs and posted a 3.9 WAR. That’s impact production, especially from a position where the Brewers currently have more questions than answers.
At 31, Bader may not be a long-term solution, but he’s a clear upgrade over a Perkins-Mitchell timeshare in center. He’d give Milwaukee a legitimate starting option, allow Perkins to slide into a more natural backup role, and potentially make someone like Mitchell or Bauers expendable - which, in a crowded roster puzzle, isn’t a bad thing.
The catch? He’s not going to sign for pennies.
According to Spotrac, Bader’s market value sits around $10 million per year. That’s not outrageous by league standards, but for a Brewers front office that’s historically allergic to mid-range free-agent deals, it might as well be a luxury tax hit.
Even if Bader were willing to take a discount - he signed for $6.25 million last offseason after a down year - Milwaukee hasn’t shown much willingness to shop in that aisle.
The Cost of Standing Still
The Brewers have made a habit of finding value through platoons and internal development. It’s a strategy that’s worked more often than not.
But after a franchise-record win total and another early playoff exit, the stakes are different now. This team is close - close enough that marginal upgrades could make a major difference come October.
And right now, the outfield depth chart is built on hope. Hope that Chourio stays healthy and continues to develop.
Hope that Mitchell can stay on the field. Hope that Yelich can still provide value in a corner spot.
Hope that Perkins can hold down center for long stretches if needed.
But hope isn’t a strategy - not when your NL rivals are loading up. The Dodgers are the clear class of the league, and teams like Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Arizona aren’t standing pat either.
The Brewers don’t need to match those teams dollar for dollar, but they do need to find ways to keep pace. Bader, or someone like him, could help.
Austin Hays is another name to watch - a former Orioles standout who’s taken a step back but still offers some upside. He’s not as dynamic as Bader, but he fits the mold of a mid-tier addition who could stabilize the outfield mix. Again, though, the likelihood of the Brewers making that kind of move feels slim.
Thin Margins, High Stakes
Injuries are part of the game, but they hit Milwaukee hard last season. Chourio, Mitchell, Bauers, and Perkins all missed time.
Isaac Collins, who might’ve provided some depth, is now in Kansas City. That leaves the Brewers with little room for error - especially if they plan to rely on internal options alone.
This isn’t about spending like the Dodgers. It’s about spending smart. And adding a player like Bader, who checks so many boxes, would be a smart investment in a roster that’s already proven it can win - but needs just a bit more to win when it matters most.
Will the Brewers make that move? History says no. But for a team that’s knocking on the door, it’s the kind of decision that could determine whether they finally break through - or just keep knocking.