Giants, Padres Reportedly Pursuing Ex-Yankees Outfielder In Free Agency

It sounds like the Giants and Padres both are interested in a former member of the Yankees

One former member of the New York Yankees is looking for a new home.

Former Yankees outfielder Harrison Bader is a free agent and seemingly has a robust market. The 29-year-old was acquired by the Yankees in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2022 but was placed on waivers by New York in 2023.

Bader was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Reds toward the end of the 2023 season and became a free agent at the end of the season. He now is looking for a new home and the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres both reportedly are interested in his services, according to MLB Network's Jon Morosi.

"The Giants and Padres are active on center fielders, including free agent Harrison Bader," Morosi said. "Jung-Hoo Lee is of interest to both clubs. Credit to Jon Heyman for his reporting on Lee's robust market."

Both San Francisco and San Diego have been linked to multiple outfielders this offseason. The Giants have been linked to Chicago Cubs star Cody Bellinger on multiple occasions at this point and if they were to miss out on him would make sense for Bader.

San Diego now has a need in the outfield after trading Juan Soto to the Yankees and Bader could make sense as a cheap option. Overall, he appeared in 98 games last season with New York and Cincinnati and hit seven home runs, drove in 40 runs, stole 20 bases, and slashed .232/.274/.348. 

He's certainly an intriguing player to look out for as he's just 29 years old and already has one Gold Glove Award under his belt.