Harrison Bader Officially Says Goodbye to Phillies Fans
The Philadelphia Phillies will not be bringing back Harrison Bader. The outfielder, now a free agent, shared a farewell message on Instagram, signaling the end of his brief but memorable time in Philadelphia.
Last week, Bader declined his side of a $10 million mutual option for 2026, officially entering free agency. Mutual options are rarely exercised by both sides, and this case was no exception.
A Strong Season
Bader comes off one of the best seasons of his career, hitting .277 with 17 home runs, 54 RBIs, a .796 OPS, and a 117 OPS+ across his time with the Minnesota Twins and the Phillies. After years of injuries and constant team changes, he finally performed like the all-around player scouts had once envisioned.
Impact in Philadelphia
During his short stint with the Phillies, Bader made a strong impression. He batted .305 with an .824 OPS, energizing the team on both offense and defense after the trade deadline.
Unfortunately, his postseason run ended abruptly due to a leg injury suffered in Game 1 of the NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers, sidelining him for the remainder of the series.
“Harrison Bader in Philly worked. I would have liked to have him back.”
The farewell message reflects the appreciation both sides had during his time in Philadelphia, even if brief.
Author’s Summary
Bader’s short stay in Philadelphia reminded fans of his true potential and leaves the Phillies with a sense of what could have been.