The Philadelphia Phillies could make an intriguing trade to replace Harrison Bader in center field.
Bader is a pending free agent and is expected to get a lucrative multi-year deal in free agency, which Philadelphia may not want to sign. With that, the Phillies are exploring the trade market to replace Bader.
MLB insiders Ken Rosenthal and Katie Woo of The Athletic reported that the Phillies are among the teams showing trade interest in Houston Astros outfielder Jake Meyers.
“Few quality center fielders are available in either free agency or trade, triggering interest in players who might be pried loose from other clubs,” the article read. “The Houston Astros’ Jake Meyers, coming off a modest offensive breakout last season, is one such player. MLB Trade Rumors projects Meyers to earn $3.5 million in the first of his two remaining years of club control. The Astros are open to moving him for a controllable major-league starter, according to people briefed on their discussions.
“And the interest in Meyers entering his age-30 campaign is considerable, other clubs say. The Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets and Rays are among the teams exploring upgrades in center field, along with the Orioles, Arizona Diamondbacks and Kansas City Royals. Meyers is an excellent defender. But if the Astros are skeptical of him replicating his offensive performance, they perhaps could get similar production from Zach Cole and/or Jacob Melton.”
Meyers won the World Series with the Astros in 2022 and could be an everyday center fielder for the Phillies.
However, the 29-year-old dealt with injuries last season, hitting just .292 with 3 home runs and 24 RBIs in 104 games.
Phillies Not Ruling Out Bringing Back Bader
Philadelphia acquired Bader at the trade deadline from the Minnesota Twins to start at center field.
Bader played well for the Phillies, but he is a free agent, and several teams will be interested in him. Yet, the Phillies’ President of Baseball Operations, Dave Dombrowski, said the team does have interest in re-signing Bader.
“They know we have interest, they know that we’d like to bring him back,” Dombrowski said about Bader. “They also had expressed that they want to see what’s out there because this was the best year he’s had, I think, in quite a while.”
Bader hit .305 with 5 home runs and 16 RBIs in 50 games with the Phillies after the trade.
Philadelphia Could Have New-Look Outfield
The Phillies outfield could look much different in 2026.
Philadelphia is expected to trade Nick Castellanos, while Bader could also walk in free agency.
Brandon Marsh could remain in the outfield, while Dombrowski hints at top prospect Justin Crawford making the team and starting in the outfield.
“In my mind, Crawford has a real strong chance to be with our club,” Dombrowski said. “We’re giving him that opportunity to be with our club. We think he can play center field. Will that be our best with him in center?
“He’s never played right, so if it’s not center, he would have to play left. Is that our best setup as we go forward? I don’t know that. It’s very dependent, but we feel very comfortable if we said, ‘OK, you’re our center fielder.’ If that were the best (way), he would be fine to do that.”
However, the Phillies are exploring the trade market, which could change the outlook of the outfield.
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