Harrison Bader, best fielding Yankee center fielder I've seen. And you hit in the playoffs for the Yankees.

Claimed by the Cincinnati Reds off waivers today. Harrison Bader becomes a free agent after the 2023 season. Any team can sign him, including the Yankees who just let him go.

Harrison Bader is a local guy from Bronxville. It's in Westchester County, NY, which borders the Bronx to the north. He grew up a Yankee fan and was proud to wear the pinstripes.

Harrison Bader

Position: Centerfielder

Bats: Right  •  Throws: Right

6-0, 210lb (183cm, 95kg)

Team: New York Yankees (majors)

Born: June 3, 1994 (Age: 29-089d) in Bronxville, NY us

August 2, 2022: Traded by the St. Louis Cardinals to the New York Yankees for Jordan Montgomery.

Good trade? But once it's made, evaluate the new player based on performance with his new team.

Bader was paid $5.2 million in 2023.

Year	Age	Tm	Lg	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	OPS+	TB
2022	28	NYY	AL	14	49	46	3	10	3	0	0	9	2	1	2	15	.217	.245	.283	.528	51	13
2023	29	NYY	AL	84	310	288	40	69	11	2	7	37	17	2	14	56	.240	.278	.365	.643	75	105

Bader missed games because of injury. Batting: not so good: OPS+ 72, HR 7. I do like this in 2023: 17 SB, 2 CS.

Bader can really go get them in center field. Better than any Yankee center fielder I've seen going back to and including Mickey Mantle.

So why think that he could perform in the batter's box better than he has?

2022 AL Division Series
New York Yankees over Cleveland Guardians (3-2)

2022 ALCS
Houston Astros over New York Yankees (4-0)

Year	Age	Tm	Lg	Series	Opp	Rslt	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	TB
2022	28	NYY	AL	ALDS	CLE	W	5	18	15	4	4	0	0	3	4	0	0	2	2	.267	.389	.867	1.256	13
2022	28	NYY	AL	ALCS	HOU	L	4	17	15	4	6	0	0	2	2	0	1	2	4	.400	.471	.800	1.271	12

Bader had the Yankees highest OPS in each of those series.

Bader hit FIVE home runs in the nine games.

Maybe Bader will be back. You never know.