Harrison Bader signing with the San Francisco Giants is another signal that the team will be anything but a doormat in the National League West in 2026.
With Bader, a 2021 Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner for his excellent work in center field, on board at “The City by the Bay,” this coming season puts an exclamation point on the Giants’ commitment to contend. Earlier this week, the Giants announced that Bader, who split last season with the Minnesota Twins and Philadelphia Phillies, agreed to a two-year, $20.5 million contract.
Although he has shown confidence with his bat throughout his nine MLB seasons, Bader was courted by Giants’ Zack Minasian, now in his second season as club general manager, primarily for his glove. In 2025, the Bronxville, New York-native hit .277, slugged 17 home runs, and drove in 54 RBIs in 146 games.
Bader, 31, will be playing for his seventh MLB club in 10 seasons. Having tested free agency for a third time, Bader remained on the market waiting for a multi-year deal.
Bader’s presence in center field immediately strengthens the Giants defensively. Up the middle of the field, Giants catcher Patrick Bailey is considered the premier defender at his position, known for his pitch framing and game-calling. In 2025, Bailey led all catchers with 19 defensive runs saved.
Willy Adames, at shortstop, joined the Giants last season after signing a seven-year contract; the largest in team history. His 30 home runs led the Giants. Adames, in 159 games, committed only 15 errors.
Drew Gilbert, who made his MLB debut in 2025 and played in 38 games, is considered the favorite going into spring training to earn the fourth outfield roster spot. Gilbert last season saw action in all three outfield positions.
As the Giants prepare to begin their spring activities in Scottsdale, Arizona, for their Cactus League schedule, Bader is expected to get significant playing time by new Giants’ skipper Tony Vitello. Becoming comfortable with communicating in-game situations to fellow starting outfielders Jung Hoo Lee and Heliot Ramos will be a priority.
With San Francisco trading Mike Yastrzemski to the Kansas City Royals at last summer’s MLB trade deadline, a hole opened for an experienced starting outfielder.
The Giants finished 81–81, good for third place in the National League West, in 2025. The World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers won the West 12 games ahead of San Francisco.
Along with the acquisition of Bader, the Giants have had a busy offseason. They’ve adding two starting pitchers, Adrian Houser and Tyler Mahle, and the hiring of Tony Vitello as manager commanded headlines.
Vitello has never managed or coached on the MLB level. He is the first to make the jump as an MLB manager from the college level (University of Tennessee) to the big leagues. It’s clear that with the signing of Bader, Vitello, and others since the end of last season, Minasian and Buster Posey, the Giants’ president of baseball operations, are swinging for the fences to reach the postseason.
What seemed to be routine not long ago, winning, and bypassing the Los Angeles Dodgers in the process, has become a drought for the Giants. Winning World Series championships in 2010, 2012, and 2014, Giants fans were spoiled with success. Recent signings, such as adding Bader to their fold, demonstrates a commitment by San Francisco management on returning to chasing the Dodgers for first place.
The Giants have spent wisely. In December 2024, the Giants gave a six-year, $151 million extension to third baseman Matt Chapman. The contract calls for a full no-trade clause.
At the same time, San Francisco shored up shortstop concerns by inking free-agent Adames for seven years. Hoo Lee, a superstar in the Korean Baseball Organization, in December 2023, received a six-year deal to play in San Francisco. An MVP, Rookie of the Year, and a lifetime KBO batting average of .340 in seven seasons, Hoo Lee’s left-handed hitting is expected to compliment Bader’s swing from the right side of the plate.
Last June, Minasian and Posey pulled the biggest trigger of their short front office association in trading for Boston Red Sox slugger Rafael Devers. Giving up four players for the first baseman and designated hitter, so far, is paying off for the Giants.
In 98 games with San Francisco last season, Devers, a three-time MLB All-Star, connected on 20 homers, drove in 51 runs, and drew 56 walks. Along with anticipating a full season of Devers hitting long balls at the Giants’ Oracle Park, a close watch is on for highly touted prospect first baseman Bryce Eldridge.
At six-foot-seven, Eldridge, 21, had a brief introduction to the Giants last season. In 10 games, and only 28 at-bats, Eldridge made the jump from Double-A and Triple-A ball to the Giants in only his third professional season.
As the Giants continue to add pieces to what they hope will restore the organization to postseason glory, welcoming Bader to the 26-man roster for two years may have them closer to reaching that goal than in recent years.
