The New York Yankees will enter the offseason with a clear need to rebuild their outfield. Both Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham are heading to free agency, and while the Yankees could extend a qualifying offer to one of them, it’s almost certain either player would reject it in search of a long-term deal.
That leaves general manager Brian Cashman with a familiar challenge: finding outfielders who can balance offense, defense, and affordability.
Dominguez can’t do it alone
Jasson Dominguez will get his shot as a full-time starter next season, but the Yankees can’t expect him to shoulder the entire load. His offensive potential is obvious, but the defensive metrics were rough in his first year, and he’ll need time to adjust. That makes adding another outfielder — or even two — a priority.
A dream scenario would be landing a superstar like Kyle Tucker, who would give the Yankees another top-of-the-order force. But there’s also a more practical path that could blend star power with stability, and that starts with a familiar face: Harrison Bader.
Why Bader makes sense for the Yankees
Bader has always been known for his glove, but last season he quietly put together one of the more balanced campaigns of his career. Splitting time between the Minnesota Twins and Philadelphia Phillies, Bader hit .277/.347/.448 with a 122 wRC+, including 17 home runs and 54 RBIs. Against right-handed pitchers, he was especially effective, batting .300 with 11 home runs and 38 RBIs — numbers that would fit perfectly into the Yankees’ lineup.
Defensively, he remains among the league’s elite. Over 146 games, Bader posted 13 defensive runs saved and 6 outs above average, providing steady reliability in center field. For a team that struggled with defensive consistency in 2025, that kind of production would be invaluable.
Balancing youth and experience
With Dominguez still developing, the Yankees could use someone like Bader as both insurance and support. He wouldn’t just stabilize the outfield defensively; he’d give the team a trusted late-game option and a veteran presence in the locker room.
At 31 years old, Bader likely won’t command a massive contract, making him an appealing target for a team that wants to stay flexible. His familiarity with Yankee Stadium’s dimensions and fan expectations only adds to the appeal — he’s already proven he can handle the New York spotlight.
A potential outfield overhaul
An offseason haul that includes either Bellinger or Tucker, along with Bader, would set the Yankees up for both power and balance. Imagine a defensive alignment with Bader’s range complementing Aaron Judge’s leadership and Dominguez’s raw athleticism. It would allow the Yankees to maximize their lineup depth while shoring up one of their most pressing weaknesses.
There’s no single move that can fix the Yankees’ postseason shortcomings, but a player like Bader could fill a vital role. He won’t hit 40 home runs or lead the team in OPS, but he’ll save runs, extend rallies, and make the tough plays look effortless. Sometimes, that’s exactly the kind of piece that turns a good roster into a great one.