Rumor: Yankees Eyeing Reunion with Former Outfielder

Rumor: Yankees Interested in Harrison Bader Reunion

The 31-year-old Bader is a native of Bronxville, New York, a stone’s throw from Yankee Stadium. After spending parts of six seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals to start his career, the Yankees acquired him late in the 2022 season. Playing 14 regular-season games with them, he accrued 10 hits and nine RBI. In the postseason, though, he was a rare bright spot on a team starved for offense. In that year’s American League Division Series against the Cleveland Guardians, Bader hit .267 with three home runs and four RBI, and a 1.256 OPS. Then, in the ALCS against the Houston Astros, he hit .400 (6-for-15) with two solo home runs and a 1.271 OPS. Sadly, that series ended in a four-game sweep at the hands of Houston.

Bader stayed with the team into 2023, but the Yankees waived him after 83 games, after he hit .240 with a .643 OPS. The Cincinnati Reds picked him up, and he finished the season there. Bader then spent last season with the New York Mets and signed a one-year deal with the Twins before this season, containing a mutual option for 2026. He is a streaky hitter with some power, hitting .255 this season with 12 homers and 38 RBI. He also would give the Yankees a steady glove if they re-acquire him. Bader won a Gold Glove in 2021 with the Cardinals.

A Defensive Everyman

As for Slater, he would mostly be useful for his glove. He is a career .255 hitter but lacks power, reaching double-digit home runs in a season only once (12 in 2021). He has played for four different teams across nine big league seasons. Slater would add some defensive versatility. In his career, he’s played every position at least once except catcher and shortstop.