Breaking: Twins agree with a one -year deal with outfield Harrison Bader – twins too

The Minnesota twins have agreed to sign Harrison Bader in Jon Heyman.

Bader adds another useful ability to the team and brings a right-handed veteran outfield, which is known for its defense and speed.

The 30-year-old Bader was available in the free agency so late because he campaigned for a full-time starting opportunity for a full time than the market gave him the reason. When he took a difficult season in which he fought against the METs around .236/.284/.373, he probably never found a daily job. His 143 games played were a career high, but in many of these competitions he was a prise hitter or a defensive sub in late game. He only started 108 games, all in midfield. He met 12 Homeruns and Stahl 17 bases, but the skills did not quite match the tools.

However, as a complementary piece and a fourth outfielder, it still has a considerable value. When he had come up with the cardinals for the first time, he was one of the best defensive fields in baseball. In 2019 and 2021 it was 15 and 18 defensive runs that were saved. It is built thick and has already lost a step there, so that it is closer to the average nowadays, but it is still a plus in both corners. It retains above-average speed and a plus arm.

This is perfect for the twins, because Bader could not only be a ballast against a Byron Buxton injury, but also a train partner of Trevor Larnach and Matt Wallner. He is a career .249/.315/.461 Hitter against left -handed jugs, so for very similar quantities in other places. In contrast to both of them, Bader offers this ability to play in midfield without becoming a blatant problem.

He was less reliable against Righties. Throughout his career, Bader was a streaked bat who had to struggle against right-handed people (.669 career surgeries), but occasionally enough strength to be playable against them. He also stole 17 bases in 2022, 2023 and 17 last year, so he brings a speed weapon with him that the team was also missing. The twins had a depth of 65 steals in 2024; You need this infusion of sheer sportiness.

Injuries often restricted his production, but in 2024 he managed to stay on the field for a full season. In the past, it was exposed to grooming, knee tendon and inclined trunks, a hair fracture in his chest and plantar fasciitis. So there is a risk that at the time he had to fill out for a crashed Buxton. However, it is reassuring that he has put together his durable season in his youngest.

The Mets gave Bader 437 record appearances last year; The twins can probably offer a little less than those for 2025. This step dramatically increases your floor because it protects it from Buxton’s longer absence or regression and Platoon injuries from Larnach or Wallner. He is a clear upgrade for this role about Austin Martin. The only persistent question is whether this step forces the team to shorten money elsewhere. If adding Bader is the difference between the possibility of keeping Christian Vázquez or Willi Castro and not able to be able to do so. At the moment it is an experienced collection.

Matthew Trueblood contributed to this story.