The <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/">Toronto Blue Jays</a> could look to add a right-handed batting outfielder before Thursday’s trade deadline.

Their main need is pitching, specifically bullpen help. While there are plenty of good options available, such as <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/toronto-blue-jays-trade-deadline-target-david-bednar">David Bednar</a>, <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/toronto-blue-jays-trade-deadline-target-ryan-helsley">Ryan Helsley</a>, <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/toronto-blue-jays-trade-deadline-jhoan-duran">Jhoan Duran</a>, Griffin Jax, and others, the Jays could look to add a position player as well, either in a platoon role or as an everyday player.
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One of the best options for a right-handed batting outfielder is Harrison Bader of the Minnesota Twins. The 31-year-old is having a career year, is cheap, and addresses the Blue Jays’ philosophy of defence first.
Let’s profile the outfielder in this trade target article!
<h2>Scouting report</h2>
Bader, 31, stands at 5’11”, 210 lbs. Although that isn’t the stature of a power hitter, Bader is usually good for double-digit home runs, sitting around 12-16 when he plays a full season. So far in 2025, his first season with the Twins, Bader is slashing .254/.337/.439 with 12 home runs in just 300 plate appearances.
He’s on pace for his career-best season, as his 118 wRC+ is the highest of his career so far. Bader’s other best season offensively was when he slashed .267/.324/.460 with 16 home runs in 401 plate appearances for a 108 wRC+ and 2.9 fWAR. In 2018, he had a 107 wRC+ with 12 home runs, finishing with a 3.7 fWAR thanks to strong defence.
Up until the 2024 season, the right-handed outfielder wasn&#8217;t an everyday player, as he never received more than 450 plate appearances in a single season. That said, he has hit both left-handed pitchers and right-handed pitchers well this season. Against lefties, Bader is slashing .241/.318/.456 with five home runs in 88 plate appearances for a 116 wRC+. He has slightly better numbers against righties, slashing .261/.343/.435 with seven home runs in 210 plate appearances for a 119 wRC+.
On top of the good offensive numbers in 2025, Bader is a player the Jays could trust defensively in the outfield. Playing the majority of his career in centre field, Bader had 42 Defensive Runs Saved and 66 Outs Above Average in 5,515.2 innings. Most of the 2025 season has been spent in left field, where he has 8 DRS and 4 OAA.
<h2>Contract situation</h2>
The Blue Jays like to trade for players with term, and Bader has just that. This season, he earns $6.25 million, both towards payroll and luxury tax. However, he has a mutual option for the 2026 season with $10 million, with a $2 million buyout.
Although he’s cheap, trading for Bader without moving money out would push the Jays <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/roster-resource/breakdowns/payroll">over the $281 million mark toward the luxury tax</a>, which means that their first-round pick in the 2026 draft will drop 10 spots.
<h2>How does Bader help the Blue Jays?</h2>
Bader is strong defensively, can handle both lefties and righties, and has an additional year on his contract. When fully healthy, there isn’t a spot for Bader, but <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/toronto-blue-jays-injury-update-anthony-santander-hasnt-started-hitting">Anthony Santander’s health is still in question</a>, while <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/george-springers-resurgence-microcosm-blue-jays-surprising-success">George Springer</a> has spent more than half his games as a designated hitter.
When <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/blue-jays-daulton-varsho-homers-third-single-a-rehab-game">Daulton Varsho</a> is healthy, which seems like it’ll be soon, he’ll slot back into centrefield. If the Blue Jays were to acquire Bader, he’d be contending for a fourth outfield spot with Nathan Lukes, Davis Schneider, Joey Loperfido, and Myles Straw. 
It all depends on whether or not Santander will be back at some point this season.
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Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/author/ryley-delaney">Blue Jays Nation</a>, <a href="https://oilersnation.com/author/ryley-delaney">Oilersnation</a>, and <a href="https://flamesnation.ca/author/ryley-delaney">FlamesNation</a>. She can be followed on Twitter <a href="https://x.com/Ryley__Delaney">@Ryley__Delaney</a>.
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The <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/">Toronto Blue Jays</a> could look to add a right-handed batting outfielder before Thursday’s trade deadline.



Their main need is pitching, specifically bullpen help. While there are plenty of good options available, such as <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/toronto-blue-jays-trade-deadline-target-david-bednar">David Bednar</a>, <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/toronto-blue-jays-trade-deadline-target-ryan-helsley">Ryan Helsley</a>, <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/toronto-blue-jays-trade-deadline-jhoan-duran">Jhoan Duran</a>, Griffin Jax, and others, the Jays could look to add a position player as well, either in a platoon role or as an everyday player.
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&nbsp;

One of the best options for a right-handed batting outfielder is Harrison Bader of the Minnesota Twins. The 31-year-old is having a career year, is cheap, and addresses the Blue Jays’ philosophy of defence first.

Let’s profile the outfielder in this trade target article!
<h2>Scouting report</h2>
Bader, 31, stands at 5’11”, 210 lbs. Although that isn’t the stature of a power hitter, Bader is usually good for double-digit home runs, sitting around 12-16 when he plays a full season. So far in 2025, his first season with the Twins, Bader is slashing .254/.337/.439 with 12 home runs in just 300 plate appearances.

He’s on pace for his career-best season, as his 118 wRC+ is the highest of his career so far. Bader’s other best season offensively was when he slashed .267/.324/.460 with 16 home runs in 401 plate appearances for a 108 wRC+ and 2.9 fWAR. In 2018, he had a 107 wRC+ with 12 home runs, finishing with a 3.7 fWAR thanks to strong defence.

Up until the 2024 season, the right-handed outfielder wasn't an everyday player, as he never received more than 450 plate appearances in a single season. That said, he has hit both left-handed pitchers and right-handed pitchers well this season. Against lefties, Bader is slashing .241/.318/.456 with five home runs in 88 plate appearances for a 116 wRC+. He has slightly better numbers against righties, slashing .261/.343/.435 with seven home runs in 210 plate appearances for a 119 wRC+.

On top of the good offensive numbers in 2025, Bader is a player the Jays could trust defensively in the outfield. Playing the majority of his career in centre field, Bader had 42 Defensive Runs Saved and 66 Outs Above Average in 5,515.2 innings. Most of the 2025 season has been spent in left field, where he has 8 DRS and 4 OAA.
<h2>Contract situation</h2>
The Blue Jays like to trade for players with term, and Bader has just that. This season, he earns $6.25 million, both towards payroll and luxury tax. However, he has a mutual option for the 2026 season with $10 million, with a $2 million buyout.

Although he’s cheap, trading for Bader without moving money out would push the Jays <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/roster-resource/breakdowns/payroll">over the $281 million mark toward the luxury tax</a>, which means that their first-round pick in the 2026 draft will drop 10 spots.
<h2>How does Bader help the Blue Jays?</h2>
Bader is strong defensively, can handle both lefties and righties, and has an additional year on his contract. When fully healthy, there isn’t a spot for Bader, but <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/toronto-blue-jays-injury-update-anthony-santander-hasnt-started-hitting">Anthony Santander’s health is still in question</a>, while <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/george-springers-resurgence-microcosm-blue-jays-surprising-success">George Springer</a> has spent more than half his games as a designated hitter.

When <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/news/blue-jays-daulton-varsho-homers-third-single-a-rehab-game">Daulton Varsho</a> is healthy, which seems like it’ll be soon, he’ll slot back into centrefield. If the Blue Jays were to acquire Bader, he’d be contending for a fourth outfield spot with Nathan Lukes, Davis Schneider, Joey Loperfido, and Myles Straw. 

It all depends on whether or not Santander will be back at some point this season.

<hr />

Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/author/ryley-delaney">Blue Jays Nation</a>, <a href="https://oilersnation.com/author/ryley-delaney">Oilersnation</a>, and <a href="https://flamesnation.ca/author/ryley-delaney">FlamesNation</a>. She can be followed on Twitter <a href="https://x.com/Ryley__Delaney">@Ryley__Delaney</a>.

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Blue Jays trade deadline target: Harrison Bader

Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer (4) scores after a wild pitch in the fourth inning against the Seattle Mariners during game four of the ALCS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at T-Mobile Park.

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