The Kansas City Royals are looking to acquire multiple outfielders this offseason, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal. The Royals would prefer to add one outfielder via free agency and one via the trade market. One free-agent outfielder on the Royals' radar used to be a fan favorite in Minnesota.
Former Twins outfielder Harrison Bader on Royals' radar this offseason
Free-agent outfielder Harrison Bader is a target for the Royals, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman. MLB Trade Rumors projects Bader, 31, will sign a two-year, $26 million contract this offseason.
The Twins signed Bader to a one-year, $6.25 million contract with a mutual option for 2026 this past offseason. In July, the Twins traded Bader to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for outfielder Hendry Mendez and right-hander Geremy Villoria. Bader declined his 2026 option after the season ended.
Bader surpassed the Twins' expectations in his short time with the organization, posting 2.7 bWAR and a .258/.339/.439 (113 OPS+) slash line while playing spectacular defense in left field and occasionally center field to give 2025 Silver Slugger Award-winner Byron Buxton rest. Upon being traded to the Phillies, Bader performed even better at the plate, hitting .305/.361/.463 (124 OPS+) with five home runs in 50 games with the Phillies while mostly playing center field. He missed time during the NLDS between the Phillies and the Los Angeles Dodgers after injuring his groin in Game 1 of the series.
Bader began his MLB career with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2017. He posted 11.9 bWAR and a 98 OPS+ over parts of six seasons with the Cardinals before being traded to the New York Yankees for left-handed starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery in early August of 2022. He ended up being a postseason hero for the Yankees, as he posted a 1.262 OPS with five homers in nine playoff games with New York in 2022. However, he struggled during the 2023 campaign, which led to the Cincinnati Reds claiming him off waivers for the last month of the season.
Bader, who played in just 14 games with the Reds, signed with the New York Mets in the 2023-24 offseason. He had 0.9 bWAR and a lowly 86 OPS+ for the Mets. He signed his deal with Minnesota the following offseason.