The Phillies’ winter approach hits a snag as an unexpected side effect of the Mets’ trade reshapes their path forward. DD
Of course the Mets will get in the Phillies’ way.
Everyone seemed surprised when the news broke on Sunday evening that the New York Mets and Texas Rangers were getting together for a trade. The uncommon 1-for-1 deal saw the Mets ship outfielder Brandon Nimmo to Texas for second baseman Marcus Semien.
Philadelphia Phillies fans will have taken special interest in the deal. One, it involves the always-despised Mets and Nimmo, who was their longest-tenured player. Two, it firmly thrusts the Mets into the free agent outfield market.
That second point is bad for two reasons. First, it opens up the possibility of New York bringing in a top free agent like Kyle Tucker or maybe Cody Bellinger to the NL East. They’re reportedly considering both of those options. But that’s not all.
Mets’ involvement will make it harder for Phillies to rebuild outfield and re-sign Harrison Bader
The Mets being major players in the outfield market also directly affects the Phillies, who need to rebuild their outfield this winter. More specifically, does this open up an avenue for a Mets reunion with Harrison Bader?
It certainly raises Bader’s value as the outfield market just got another serious player, especially if the Mets end up missing out on Tucker and Bellinger. And with owner Steve Cohen not shy about spending his money, it’s not great news.
After spending just two and a half months in Philadelphia following the trade deadline, Bader is on the Phillies’ radar this offseason. Not only is Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski under pressure to find new outfielders, but he has already said that the team has interest in re-signing Bader.
For his part, Bader did everything right during his short stay to entice an offer from the Phillies. Any offer, however, might have to be even richer if the Mets mosey up to the table.
A career .247 hitter, Bader played some of his best baseball in red pinstripes down the stretch. The 31-year-old hit .305 with an .824 OPS, five home runs, 16 RBIs and 30 runs scored in 50 games. He also played a lights-out center field and brought a spark of energy to the ballpark.
However, Bader also spent a season with the Mets in 2024 and is a New York native. There were reports ahead of this year’s trade deadline that his former team was interested in acquiring him from the Minnesota Twins, but that never happened, despite the Mets’ dire need for a center fielder.
The New York Post’s Jon Heyman later reported that Bader’s poor performance down the stretch in 2024 was a factor in the Mets not bringing him back this season (subscription required). But while the Mets floundered and missed the playoffs, Bader helped the Phillies surge to the second-best record in baseball. That performance might prompt the Mets to look more closely at Bader this time around.
As much as Phillies fans and the team fell in love with Bader, and the feeling was seemingly mutual, he should have many suitors on the free agent market. Adding the Mets to the mix will only make it that much more difficult to bring him back to Philadelphia.
