The Phillies acquired Harrison Bader mid-season and he played in 50 games for the club, including 43 starts. During his time in Philadelphia, he slashed .305/.361/.463 with five home runs. The team held a $10 million mutual option for next season that included Bader’s side of the decision.
However, Bader has declined his portion of that mutual option, announcing via the team that he will test the open market in free agency rather than automatically return under the option. At 31 years old and with nine seasons of major-league experience, he is a veteran presence on the roster.
Defensively, Bader remains a strong asset — he is a former Gold Glove winner and can play all three outfield positions, which adds roster flexibility. At the plate, his 2025 season (including his time with Philadelphia and Minnesota) saw him post a .277/.347/.449 line with 17 home runs and an approximate 4.2 WAR, per one report.
From the Phillies’ perspective, losing Bader means the team must now explore how to fill the void in the outfield — both in terms of defense and moderate power from the right side of the plate. The team had hoped Bader might pick up the option, but the consensus is that the mutual option “was not likely to be exercised.”
As for Bader’s free-agent market, projections suggest he could sign somewhere in the ballpark of a two-year, $20 million deal based on his finish to the 2025 season. That gives both Bader and interested clubs more security than a one-year deal, and reflects the value he offers.
The broader context: this move speaks to the Phillies’ off-season strategy and payroll flexibility. With several free-agent decisions looming and a competitive roster, the team will have to weigh whether to re-sign Bader or redirect those funds elsewhere. Meanwhile, Bader has multiple potential suitors given his combination of experience, defensive versatility, and power.
In sum: The Phillies are losing a nine-year veteran Gold Glove outfielder in Harrison Bader via free agency after he declined his portion of a mutual option. The club must now address his departure in the outfield, while Bader enters the open market in search of a multi-year deal. His versatile skill set ensures he will draw interest, and the Phillies will evaluate how best to respond.
