The Philadelphia Phillies have confirmed that outfielder Harrison Bader has chosen to decline a mutual option worth $10 million for the 2026 season. By rejecting this option, Bader will now return to free agency and will receive a $3 million buyout.
Harrison Bader’s Season Performance
Bader, who will turn 32 in June, has just finished a strong season despite some offensive inconsistencies. Notably, he has struggled over the last three years regarding offensive production as measured by wRC+.
Contract Details
In 2025, Bader sealed a one-year contract with the Minnesota Twins, valued at $6.25 million. This agreement included:
- A $750,000 signing bonus
- A base salary of $4 million
- A buyout of $1.5 million on the now-declined $10 million mutual option
He also had performance incentives, allowing him to increase the buyout through plate appearance bonuses. By the end of the season, he made 501 plate appearances, meeting all bonus thresholds, thus raising his buyout to an additional $1.5 million. His appearances were split between the Twins and the Phillies after a trade took place due to Minnesota falling out of playoff contention.
Trade Impact
When Bader moved to Philadelphia, he unlocked a $500,000 assignment bonus as part of his trade agreement. His overall performance was commendable as he achieved a batting line of .277/.347/.449, resulting in a wRC+ of 122. Alongside a typically strong defense and baserunning, this helped him achieve 3.2 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) for the year.
Future Prospects
Despite the impressive performance, Bader’s offensive metrics indicate potential sustainability issues. His .359 batting average on balls in play was significantly higher than both his career average of .305 and the league average of .291 for 2025.
Given his strong showing, Bader may be in line for a lucrative multi-year contract this offseason. Although there is a possibility of re-signing with the Phillies, the team is reportedly aiming to restructure its outfield lineup, which could potentially affect Bader’s future with the organization. Changes are anticipated, particularly in relation to fellow outfielder Nick Castellanos.
