Harrison Bader Reflects on Phillies Exit, Eyes Fresh Start with Giants
Harrison Bader thought he’d be back in Philadelphia. After a strong finish to the 2025 season, the veteran outfielder believed he had done enough to earn a return to the Phillies - and it sounds like that belief wasn’t just wishful thinking.
“I thought there was a really good chance of being back in Philadelphia,” Bader said during an appearance on Foul Territory. “But at the same time, I’ve been around long enough and heard enough stories from other players… guys who were with an organization for six or seven years and it didn’t work out the way they wanted.”
That’s the business side of baseball - unpredictable, sometimes unforgiving, and always evolving. Bader, now a San Francisco Giant, is no stranger to the emotional rollercoaster that comes with free agency. Even as he hoped for a reunion with the Phillies, he kept himself grounded, knowing nothing is guaranteed.
“You prepare for things and have them go a different direction,” he said. “It’s about how you can pivot to keep the energy going in the right direction to still manage to be successful.”
That pivot landed him in San Francisco, where he inked a two-year deal worth a reported $20.5 million - essentially the same total value he would’ve received had he picked up the $10 million mutual option with Philadelphia, but now with added security through his age-33 season. It’s a move that gives Bader a bit more runway, both financially and professionally.
From the Phillies’ perspective, the decision was more about roster construction than a lack of appreciation for what Bader brought to the table. They allocated that same $10 million to Adolis García, who’s expected to hold down right field on a one-year deal. With Nick Castellanos seemingly on his way out and top prospect Justin Crawford getting every chance to claim the center field job, the Phillies are clearly leaning into a youth movement - or at least a retooling of the outfield.
Bader, meanwhile, is coming off a stretch of inspired baseball. He brought energy, defense, and a spark to the Phillies lineup late in the year - the kind of play that can turn a fringe signing into a fan favorite. But whether that short stint was enough to justify a multi-year commitment from Philadelphia is a question the front office answered with a no.
Now, the question shifts: will they regret it?
If Bader stays healthy and finds his rhythm in San Francisco, he could turn into one of those “why didn’t we keep him?” players.
He’s shown flashes of being more than just a glove-first outfielder - especially when he’s locked in at the plate. But the flip side is real too.
If his bat cools off and he settles back into sub-.700 OPS territory, the Phillies’ decision to move on will look more like prudent roster management than a missed opportunity.
That’s the gamble on both sides. For Bader, it’s a fresh start with a bit more security. For the Phillies, it’s a bet on upside - both in García’s bat and Crawford’s potential.
And for everyone watching? It’s another reminder that in baseball, as in life, nothing is promised - but everything is possible.