Assuming Kevin Kerimaier was a one-and-done, the Blue Jays are going to need to add another outfielder or two this winter. 

This is a free agent profile, where we take a look at the players on the open market this winter and whether or not they would be fits for the Blue Jays. In this article, we’re going to take a look at Harrison Bader, a Gold Glove-winning outfielder.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Harrison Bader learned the Yankees had placed him on waivers when he saw it on ESPN. It was 10 minutes before the game. His first thought was “what does waivers mean?” <a href="https://t.co/FutTUd6VUb">pic.twitter.com/FutTUd6VUb</a>
&mdash; Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) <a href="https://twitter.com/JomboyMedia/status/1696881686066135445?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<h2>Harrison Bader’s 2023:</h2>
In 2023, Bader spent time with the New York Yankees and the Cincinnati Reds. He slashed .232/.274/.348 with seven home runs, along with a 4.9 BB% and a 17.2 K% in 344 plate appearances. In terms of his centre field defence, Bader had 4 Defensive Runs Saved and 9 Outs Above Average.
This wasn’t even close to Bader&#8217;s best career season, however. In 2018, he slashed .264/.334/.422 with 12 home runs in 427 plate appearances, along with 16 DRS and 19 OAA for his highest career fWAR of 4.1. In 2021,  Bader slashed .267/.324/.460 with a career-high 16 home runs in 401 plate appearances. On top of arguably his best season with the bat (his K% dropped to 21.2 from the high-20s), Bader also had a 15 DRS and 14 OAA in 886.2 innings fielding in the outfield.
For his career, Bader is slashing .243/.310/.396 with 59 home runs in 2108 plate appearances. He has accumulated 12.9 fWAR, 52 DRS and 68 OAA in 4668 innings fielded in the outfield, most of which in centre field, as he hasn’t played a corner outfield position since 2018.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Harrison Bader with the diving catch in style. 🕺
(🎥: <a href="https://twitter.com/YESNetwork?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@YESNetwork</a>)<a href="https://t.co/53nzZFmmP0">pic.twitter.com/53nzZFmmP0</a>
&mdash; theScore (@theScore) <a href="https://twitter.com/theScore/status/1658613597080023040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<h2>Harrison Bader’s contract:</h2>
From Jim Bowden’s contract predictions article in The Athletic, the former general manager believes that Bader will earn $8 million on a one-year deal. On the other hand, MLB Trade Rumors has him making $20 million over two seasons for an annual salary of $10 million.
For the sake of comparison, the Blue Jays signed Kevin Kiermaier last winter to a one-year, $9 million contract, which is pretty similar to Bowden&#8217;s suggestion for Bader. That said, these situations are different, as Kiermaier was older and coming off of a significant injury, so Bader might be able to command multiple years on a contract despite his poor showing offensively.
<h2>Is Harrison Bader a fit for the Blue Jays:</h2>
If the Jays were able to sign Bader, he’d make an excellent platoon option with Daulton Varsho and would help maintain the elite defence the team had in the outfield in 2023. 
Unlike Varsho, the right-handed hitting Bader excels against left-handed pitching, as he&#8217;s slashed a .262/.330/.494 for in 523 plate appearances against left-handed hurlers for his career, significantly better than his stats against righty pitchers. 
That said, while Bader would be a good fit in terms of Toronto&#8217;s defence and speed strategy, he wouldn&#8217;t move the needle in terms of making the lineup much stronger than it was last year. Adding Bader would be a run-prevention move and there would still have to be other additions who help improve the team&#8217;s slugging.
<hr />
As always, you can follow me on Twitter, Instagram, and Threads @Brennan_L_D.
<hr />
<h2 class="mb-5 text-2xl font-bold">Previously…</h2>
<ul class="mb-5 list-disc pl-8">
<li class=""><a class="text-accent" href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/free-agent-profile-shohei-ohtani-is-this-winters-top-free-agent-despite-off-season-elbow-surgery" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Free Agent Profile: Shohei Ohtani is this winter’s top free agent despite off-season elbow surgery</a></li>
<li class=""><a class="text-accent" href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/free-agent-profile-the-blue-jays-pursued-cody-bellinger-last-winter-and-likely-will-again-this-year" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Free Agent Profile: The Blue Jays pursued Cody Bellinger last winter and likely will again this year</a></li>
<li class=""><a class="text-accent" href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/free-agent-profile-yoshinobu-yamamoto-finished-his-npb-career-with-one-of-the-best-starts-in-japan-series-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Free Agent Profile: Yoshinobu Yamamoto finished his NPB career with one of the best starts in Japan Series history</a></li>
<li class=""><a class="text-accent" href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/free-agent-profile-two-time-all-star-tim-anderson-is-on-the-open-market-after-the-white-sox-declined-his-option" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Free Agent Profile: Two-time All-Star Tim Anderson is on the open market after the White Sox declined his option</a></li>
<li class=""><a class="text-accent" href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/free-agent-profile-teoscar-hernandez-said-before-the-trade-deadline-that-hed-be-open-to-a-return-to-the-blue-jays" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Free Agent Profile: Teoscar Hernández said before the trade deadline that he’d be open to a return to the Blue Jays</a></li>
<li class=""><a class="text-accent" href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/free-agent-profile-lourdes-gurriel-jr-is-on-the-open-market-following-his-first-all-star-season" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Free Agent Profile: Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is on the open market following his first All-Star season</a></li>
<li class=""><a class="text-accent" href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/free-agent-profile-the-blue-jays-are-apparently-interested-in-outfielder-michael-a-taylor" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Free Agent Profile: The Blue Jays are apparently interested in outfielder Michael A. Taylor</a></li>
<li class=""><a class="text-accent" href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/free-agent-profile-slugger-jorge-soler-could-give-the-blue-jays-some-much-needed-pop-in-their-lineup" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Free Agent Profile: Slugger Jorge Soler could give the Blue Jays some much-needed pop in their lineup</a></li>
<li class=""><a class="text-accent" href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/free-agent-profile-slugger-jorge-soler-could-give-the-blue-jays-some-much-needed-pop-in-their-lineup" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Free Agent Profile: Slugger Jorge Soler could give the Blue Jays some much-needed pop in their lineup</a></li>
<li class=""><a class="text-accent" href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/free-agent-profile-a-joey-votto-homecoming-is-a-possibility-this-winter" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Free Agent Profile: A Joey Votto homecoming is a possibility this winter</a></li>
<li class=""><a class="text-accent" href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/free-agent-profile-bryce-harper-moving-to-first-base-means-rhys-hoskins-time-with-the-phillies-is-over" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Free Agent Profile: Bryce Harper moving to first base means Rhys Hoskins’ time with the Phillies is over</a></li>
<li class=""><a class="text-accent" href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/free-agent-profile-jeimer-candelario-is-among-the-blue-jays-replacement-options-if-matt-chapman-doesnt-re-sign" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Free Agent Profile: Jeimer Candelario is among the Blue Jays’ replacement options if Matt Chapman doesn’t re-sign</a></li>
<li class=""><a class="text-accent" href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/free-agent-profile-slugger-j-d-martinez-is-back-on-the-market-after-a-rebound-year-with-the-dodgers" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Free Agent Profile: Slugger J.D. Martinez is back on the market after a rebound year with the Dodgers</a></li>
<li class=""><a class="text-accent" href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/free-agent-profile-another-slugger-is-on-the-market-as-the-brewers-non-tendered-rowdy-tellez" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Free Agent Profile: Another slugger is on the market as the Brewers non-tendered Rowdy Tellez</a></li>
<li><a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/free-agent-profile-blake-snell-is-just-the-seventh-pitcher-to-win-a-cy-young-in-both-leagues">Free Agent Profile: Blake Snell is just the seventh pitcher to win a Cy Young in both leagues</a></li>
</ul>
<hr />
<h2 class="mb-5 text-2xl font-bold" style="text-align: center;"><a class="text-accent" href="https://gml-grp.com/C.ashx?btag=a_24038b_2065c_&amp;affid=7966&amp;siteid=24038&amp;adid=2065&amp;c=" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">ARTICLE PRESENTED BY BETANO</a></h2>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-61491" src="https://publish.bluejaysnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/04/Betano_ON_Base_727x404-1.png" alt="" width="727" height="404" srcset="https://publish.bluejaysnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/04/Betano_ON_Base_727x404-1.png 727w, https://publish.bluejaysnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/04/Betano_ON_Base_727x404-1-300x167.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 727px) 100vw, 727px" />

Assuming Kevin Kerimaier was a one-and-done, the Blue Jays are going to need to add another outfielder or two this winter.


This is a free agent profile, where we take a look at the players on the open market this winter and whether or not they would be fits for the Blue Jays. In this article, we’re going to take a look at Harrison Bader, a Gold Glove-winning outfielder.

https://twitter.com/JomboyMedia/status/1696881686066135445
<h2>Harrison Bader’s 2023:</h2>
In 2023, Bader spent time with the New York Yankees and the Cincinnati Reds. He slashed .232/.274/.348 with seven home runs, along with a 4.9 BB% and a 17.2 K% in 344 plate appearances. In terms of his centre field defence, Bader had 4 Defensive Runs Saved and 9 Outs Above Average.

This wasn’t even close to Bader's best career season, however. In 2018, he slashed .264/.334/.422 with 12 home runs in 427 plate appearances, along with 16 DRS and 19 OAA for his highest career fWAR of 4.1. In 2021,  Bader slashed .267/.324/.460 with a career-high 16 home runs in 401 plate appearances. On top of arguably his best season with the bat (his K% dropped to 21.2 from the high-20s), Bader also had a 15 DRS and 14 OAA in 886.2 innings fielding in the outfield.

For his career, Bader is slashing .243/.310/.396 with 59 home runs in 2108 plate appearances. He has accumulated 12.9 fWAR, 52 DRS and 68 OAA in 4668 innings fielded in the outfield, most of which in centre field, as he hasn’t played a corner outfield position since 2018.

https://twitter.com/theScore/status/1658613597080023040
<h2>Harrison Bader’s contract:</h2>
From Jim Bowden’s contract predictions article in The Athletic, the former general manager believes that Bader will earn $8 million on a one-year deal. On the other hand, MLB Trade Rumors has him making $20 million over two seasons for an annual salary of $10 million.

For the sake of comparison, the Blue Jays signed Kevin Kiermaier last winter to a one-year, $9 million contract, which is pretty similar to Bowden's suggestion for Bader. That said, these situations are different, as Kiermaier was older and coming off of a significant injury, so Bader might be able to command multiple years on a contract despite his poor showing offensively.
<h2>Is Harrison Bader a fit for the Blue Jays:</h2>
If the Jays were able to sign Bader, he’d make an excellent platoon option with Daulton Varsho and would help maintain the elite defence the team had in the outfield in 2023. 

Unlike Varsho, the right-handed hitting Bader excels against left-handed pitching, as he's slashed a .262/.330/.494 for in 523 plate appearances against left-handed hurlers for his career, significantly better than his stats against righty pitchers. 

That said, while Bader would be a good fit in terms of Toronto's defence and speed strategy, he wouldn't move the needle in terms of making the lineup much stronger than it was last year. Adding Bader would be a run-prevention move and there would still have to be other additions who help improve the team's slugging.

<hr />

As always, you can follow me on Twitter, Instagram, and Threads @Brennan_L_D.

<hr />

<h2 class="mb-5 text-2xl font-bold">Previously…</h2>
<ul class="mb-5 list-disc pl-8">
 	<li class=""><a class="text-accent" href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/free-agent-profile-shohei-ohtani-is-this-winters-top-free-agent-despite-off-season-elbow-surgery" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Free Agent Profile: Shohei Ohtani is this winter’s top free agent despite off-season elbow surgery</a></li>
 	<li class=""><a class="text-accent" href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/free-agent-profile-the-blue-jays-pursued-cody-bellinger-last-winter-and-likely-will-again-this-year" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Free Agent Profile: The Blue Jays pursued Cody Bellinger last winter and likely will again this year</a></li>
 	<li class=""><a class="text-accent" href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/free-agent-profile-yoshinobu-yamamoto-finished-his-npb-career-with-one-of-the-best-starts-in-japan-series-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Free Agent Profile: Yoshinobu Yamamoto finished his NPB career with one of the best starts in Japan Series history</a></li>
 	<li class=""><a class="text-accent" href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/free-agent-profile-two-time-all-star-tim-anderson-is-on-the-open-market-after-the-white-sox-declined-his-option" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Free Agent Profile: Two-time All-Star Tim Anderson is on the open market after the White Sox declined his option</a></li>
 	<li class=""><a class="text-accent" href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/free-agent-profile-teoscar-hernandez-said-before-the-trade-deadline-that-hed-be-open-to-a-return-to-the-blue-jays" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Free Agent Profile: Teoscar Hernández said before the trade deadline that he’d be open to a return to the Blue Jays</a></li>
 	<li class=""><a class="text-accent" href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/free-agent-profile-lourdes-gurriel-jr-is-on-the-open-market-following-his-first-all-star-season" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Free Agent Profile: Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is on the open market following his first All-Star season</a></li>
 	<li class=""><a class="text-accent" href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/free-agent-profile-the-blue-jays-are-apparently-interested-in-outfielder-michael-a-taylor" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Free Agent Profile: The Blue Jays are apparently interested in outfielder Michael A. Taylor</a></li>
 	<li class=""><a class="text-accent" href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/free-agent-profile-slugger-jorge-soler-could-give-the-blue-jays-some-much-needed-pop-in-their-lineup" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Free Agent Profile: Slugger Jorge Soler could give the Blue Jays some much-needed pop in their lineup</a></li>
 	<li class=""><a class="text-accent" href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/free-agent-profile-slugger-jorge-soler-could-give-the-blue-jays-some-much-needed-pop-in-their-lineup" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Free Agent Profile: Slugger Jorge Soler could give the Blue Jays some much-needed pop in their lineup</a></li>
 	<li class=""><a class="text-accent" href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/free-agent-profile-a-joey-votto-homecoming-is-a-possibility-this-winter" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Free Agent Profile: A Joey Votto homecoming is a possibility this winter</a></li>
 	<li class=""><a class="text-accent" href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/free-agent-profile-bryce-harper-moving-to-first-base-means-rhys-hoskins-time-with-the-phillies-is-over" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Free Agent Profile: Bryce Harper moving to first base means Rhys Hoskins’ time with the Phillies is over</a></li>
 	<li class=""><a class="text-accent" href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/free-agent-profile-jeimer-candelario-is-among-the-blue-jays-replacement-options-if-matt-chapman-doesnt-re-sign" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Free Agent Profile: Jeimer Candelario is among the Blue Jays’ replacement options if Matt Chapman doesn’t re-sign</a></li>
 	<li class=""><a class="text-accent" href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/free-agent-profile-slugger-j-d-martinez-is-back-on-the-market-after-a-rebound-year-with-the-dodgers" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Free Agent Profile: Slugger J.D. Martinez is back on the market after a rebound year with the Dodgers</a></li>
 	<li class=""><a class="text-accent" href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/free-agent-profile-another-slugger-is-on-the-market-as-the-brewers-non-tendered-rowdy-tellez" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Free Agent Profile: Another slugger is on the market as the Brewers non-tendered Rowdy Tellez</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/free-agent-profile-blake-snell-is-just-the-seventh-pitcher-to-win-a-cy-young-in-both-leagues">Free Agent Profile: Blake Snell is just the seventh pitcher to win a Cy Young in both leagues</a></li>
</ul>

<hr />

<h2 class="mb-5 text-2xl font-bold" style="text-align: center;"><a class="text-accent" href="https://gml-grp.com/C.ashx?btag=a_24038b_2065c_&amp;affid=7966&amp;siteid=24038&amp;adid=2065&amp;c=" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">ARTICLE PRESENTED BY BETANO</a></h2>
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-61491" src="https://publish.bluejaysnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/04/Betano_ON_Base_727x404-1.png" alt="" width="727" height="404" />

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