Giants Sign Harrison Bader to Two-Year, $20.5M Deal

The San Francisco Giants agreed to a two-year, $20.5 million contract with free-agent center fielder Harrison Bader, the club announced (January 26, 2026). Bader, 31, is coming off one of his best offensive seasons and brings elite defense to an outfield that tied for worst in baseball with -18 outs above average in 2025.

The Player

In 2025 Bader batted .277 with 17 home runs, 54 RBIs, and a career-high .796 OPS across 146 games with the Minnesota Twins and Philadelphia Phillies. After the trade deadline he hit .305 with an .824 OPS in 50 games with Philadelphia. A Gold Glove winner in 2021, he has 76 outs above average since 2018—the most among all outfielders—and ranks in the 85th percentile in sprint speed.

The Fit

The Giants targeted outfield defense as a priority. Bader is expected to become the everyday center fielder, with Jung Hoo Lee potentially shifting to a corner. The deal is pending a physical.

What It Means for AthX

Bader’s move to San Francisco gives him a clear everyday role and a park that can reward his speed and defense. His AthX price will reflect his new lineup and ballpark; Giants outfield and lineup construction may shift slightly as dynamic pricing factors in the new alignment. A full season of at-bats in a pitcher-friendly division still values his defensive and baserunning contributions. Browse the marketplace to see how outfield moves affect player values on AthX. *Sources: ESPN, MLB.com, The Athletic, AP, Yahoo Sports. Fact-checked February 1, 2026.*