"San Francisco has reportedly agreed with free-agent outfielder Harrison Bader to a two-year, $20.5 million contract, giving the Giants a defensive savant who's equipped to roam Oracle Park's spacious outfield. The 31-year-old Bader is a one-time Gold Glover with +67 outs above average and +51 defensive runs saved as a center fielder over his nine-year major-league career. Bader totaled +7 outs above average last season, and since his debut in 2017, only Kevin Kiermaier (+74) has more outs above average in center field."
"Jung Hoo Lee, in particular, was worth -5 outs above average and -18 defensive runs saved. With Bader in the mix, Lee will likely slide over to right field. Lee, 27, has exclusively played center field since signing a six-year, $113 million deal with San Francisco ahead of the 2024 season, but Lee's athleticism and arm (91st percentile in arm strength) could allow him to become an above-average defender."
The Giants addressed one of their biggest weaknesses by signing Harrison Bader to a two-year, $20.5 million contract. Bader brings elite defensive credentials, including +67 outs above average and +51 defensive runs saved as a center fielder over nine major-league seasons, and he posted +7 outs above average last year. San Francisco ranked last in outs above average (-18) and 28th in defensive runs saved (-21) last season. The move likely shifts Jung Hoo Lee to right field, where his athleticism and 91st-percentile arm strength could produce above-average defense, and it should help Heliot Ramos in left. Bader also posted career highs offensively, including a .277 batting average and improved on-base percentage.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]