The Philadelphia Phillies didn't let it come down to the wire on trade deadline Thursday. With the 6 p.m. ET deadline still hours away, the Phillies hooked up with the Minnesota Twins for another trade after getting Jhoan Duran from Minnesota on Wednesday.
This time they got their right-handed outfield bat by acquiring Harrison Bader. ESPN's Jeff Passan was the first to break the news.
After the trade was confirmed, we learned that the Phillies are sending No. 12 prospect outfielder Hendry Mendez and right-hander Geremy Villoria to Minnesota, according to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki.
The Philadelphia Phillies are finalizing a trade to acquire outfielder Harrison Bader from the Minnesota Twins, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 31, 2025
Phillies shore up outfield by trading for Harrison Bader
Adding Bader, 31, gives the Phillies a solid defender who plays an above-average center and left fields. In his ninth MLB season, he's slashing a steady .258/.339/.439 with 12 home runs, 38 RBIs, 31 runs scored and 10 steals in 96 games for the Twins. He hits both left-handed and right-handed pitching almost equally, with similar OPS numbers (.774 vs. LHP, .779 vs. RHP).
Harrison Bader takes away a home run! 😳 pic.twitter.com/kmiQFMB7gU
— MLB (@MLB) July 30, 2025
One red flag to note in Bader's profile is his 26.4 percent strikeout rate, which breaks down to a 36.4 percent clip against lefties and 22.4 against righties. But when he does make contact he's a pull hitter and maximizes his power with a 21.4 percent pull air rate.
Bader has previously played for the St. Louis Cardinals, where he spent parts of six seasons after being drafted in the third round in 2015, the New York Yankees, the Cincinnati Reds, and the New York Mets. This was his first season in Minnesota. He comes with a mutual option for 2026.
Bader also has experience playing in the postseason. He has five home runs (all with the Yankees in 2022) and an .809 OPS in 72 playoff plate appearances.
Mendez, 21, had been in the Phillies organization for the past two seasons after being acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers in 2023. Playing in Double-A Reading this season, Mendez is having strong season, slashing a strong .290/.374/.434 with eight homers and six steals in 85 games for the Fightin Phils.
Villoria, 16, was signed by the Phillies out of Venezuela and is currently playing in the Dominican Summer League (DSL) with a 4.50 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 14 innings.