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Alden Gonzalez
The Philadelphia Phillies are in settlement on a deal to accumulate outfielder Harrison Bader from the Minnesota Twins, sources informed ESPN’s Jeff Passan on Thursday.
Two prospects, outfielder Hendry Mendez and right-hander Geremy Villoria, will go to the Twins within the deal, sources stated.
The Phillies had previously picked up former Twins nearer Jhoan Duran, probably the greatest relievers obtainable, however nonetheless had a necessity of their outfield. Bader, 31, fills that with a premium glove and a right-handed bat who can platoon with a few left-handed hitters in Max Kepler and Brandon Marsh.
Bader gained a Gold Glove whereas taking part in middle discipline for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2021 and moved to left to accommodate Byron Buxton upon signing a one-year, $6.25 million contract with the Twins earlier this yr. Bader has contributed 4 outs above common in left discipline, third most on the place, but in addition continues to grade out as plus defensively in middle.
In line with Sports activities Information Options, Bader has +13 defensive runs saved this season. As a roster, the Phillies have -28 defensive runs saved, twenty seventh in MLB.
Bader is within the midst of one in all his finest offensive seasons, slashing .258/.338/.439 with 12 residence runs and 10 stolen bases in 96 video games. His splits had been fairly even — .779 OPS in opposition to righties, .774 OPS in opposition to lefties — however Bader figures to get most of his taking part in time in opposition to opposing left-handed pitchers shifting ahead.
By comparability, Phillies middle fielders have hit solely 4 residence runs this season — which is tied with the Astros, Mets and Rays for the fewest in MLB — and have an OPS of .626, which is twenty second within the majors.
Bader additionally has postseason expertise, taking part in in 5 postseason sequence with the Cardinals, Yankees and Mets with a .809 OPS and 5 profession homers.
His deal features a $10 million mutual possibility for 2026, the worth of which may enhance upon assembly sure playing-time thresholds.
Bader additionally has postseason expertise, taking part in in 5 postseason sequence with the Cardinals, Yankees and Mets with a .809 OPS and 5 profession homers.
Mendez, 21, was initially signed out of the Dominican Republic and was slashing .290/.374/.434 in 85 video games in Double-A, whereas seeing time principally in left discipline. He was ranked because the No. 8 prospect in the Phillies’ farm system by ESPN.
Villoria is a 16-year-old signee from Venezuela who was pitching out of the Phillies’ Dominican academy. Neither was thought-about among the many Phillies’ finest prospects.
ESPN Analysis and The Related Press contributed to this report.