The Philadelphia Phillies are still picking up the pieces after their season ended in the NLDS for the second straight year. With another season falling short of their ultimate goal comes anticipation of significant changes before 2026. Outfielder Harrison Bader was brought in as a trade deadline acquisition in 2025 but could find himself a major part of the Phillies' future as they look to retool the roster.
Bader had a great run as a member of the Phillies. In 50 games, he posted a .305 batting average with an .824 OPS. For 2025 as a whole, he hit .277 with 17 home runs, 54 RBIs and a .796 OPS.
He ended with career highs in home runs (17), RBIs (54), doubles (24) and hits (124). He also easily took over the center field job as a defensive asset to the club whenever he was called on, ranking 18th (93rd percentile) among outfielders with +7 outs above average.
The Phillies now need to see if there is common ground to bring him back.
Phillies will want to bring back Harrison Bader who will have value on free agent market
Before the season, Bader signed a one-year, $6.25 million deal with the Twins with a $10 million mutual option for 2026. If agreed upon by both Bader and the Phillies, $10 million for one more year would be a great deal. Considering what he gave the Phillies in his short time here, there's excitement about what Bader could do in a full season in Philadelphia.
Outfielder Max Kepler signed for $10 million as well and wasn't as productive, so Bader would hopefully give them more value. It would be a great price for Bader's services, but that would also mean that Bader would have to be willing to stay. He could opt out and become a free agent once again.
Harrison Bader makes the catch AT THE WALL! 😤 pic.twitter.com/fFlm2AuEME
— MLB (@MLB) September 4, 2025
Exercising that option is easier than it sounds. Bader outplayed the original $6.25 million he signed for, and there's a good chance he'll want to capitalize on how he finished 2025. He was traded midway through the season and became an important part of a playoff team. Other teams will see that and will be happy to make him offers over the offseason to see if they can bring him in as a difference-maker.
Bader proved he was worth the investment and it paid off. He now will get some looks, and the Phillies will still be one of those teams. Per Spotrac, Bader's projected market value on the open market would be around two years and $20 million.
So, he might still get the $10 million in 2026, but he could also guarantee himself an additional year of term on the free agent market. Even if it takes more money, the Phillies could easily make it happen with all the payroll changes in the upcoming year.
Following the Phillies' playoff elimination, Bader said he'd like to return to Philadelphia, per Phillies Nation's Destiny Lugardo.
"Yeah. Absolutely," Bader said when asked if he'd like to return, per Lugardo. "You know, I’ve said this a lot. I think winning baseball and winning culture and wanting to win, I think, is a universal language. I don’t think the uniform really kind of defines that. Being dealt into a clubhouse where a lot of guys, if you will, speak that same language, I think it’s very easy for me to fit in. I’m just really grateful for everybody. I was just really really excited to play here. Obviously, not what we wanted, but, you know, there’s always a next opportunity, so I’m just focused on that."
Of the things that didn't go as planned for the Phillies in 2025, Bader was a bright spot. His energy, his competitiveness and his defensive prowess easily make him a need for the revamped Phillies next year and beyond. Bader fit right in in the Phillies' clubhouse and his teammates liked him, and so did the fan base, so perhaps we haven't seen the last of him quite yet.