Harrison Bader is a San Francisco Giant now. The former Phillies outfield signed a multi-year deal to head to a new city and new clubhouse with new vibes. Yet somehow, every time this guy gets a microphone in his face, we are right back in Philadelphia like we are his ex he keeps “accidentally” texting at 1:17 a.m.
Look, I get it. He’s doing the PR rounds. Reporters are going to ask about the Phillies because our outfield situation was a whole public argument for three straight months.
They bring up the needs, they bring up the fit, they bring up how he played well here, and suddenly we are watching Bader wax poetic about “life lessons” and “pivoting” like he just got off a TED Talk stage.
Harrison Bader thought there was a really good chance he’d be back with the Phillies.
“I thought there was a really good chance of being back in Philadelphia. But at the same time, I’ve been around for long enough and heard a lot enough stories from other players who have gone through similar situations… So I certainly also prepared myself… Life is about preparing for things and having them go a different direction… how you can pivot…”
Harrison Bader. Brother. It is baseball.
You were here for a quick run, you played hard, you had a moment, and it was cool. I was a fan but we do not need the full spirituality monologue every time someone asks why you are wearing orange now.
What it sounds like is pretty simple. On top of that, I absolutely loved Harrison Bader from the second the Phillies were linked to the Twins. I wanted him from the deadline while everyone told me I was an idiot. I’m not an idiot, however, and I was right (again) so please don’t think I’m anti-Bader. I’m very much pro.
Harrison Bader wanted a multi-year offer from the Phillies after playing some of his best ball during a short stretch at the end of a contract year.
He declined the $10 million mutual option and took the better structure in San Francisco, two years for a reported $20.5 million. Same money basically, but the extra year takes him to age 33 and that matters when you are living year to year in this league.
Meanwhile, the Phillies did basically nothing.
harrison bader’s comments about phillies fans are very nice but at the same time, he was a free agent and signed with the giants so i dont really give a shit
— Drew Smith (@drewmsmith) January 27, 2026
They gave $10 million to Adolis García to play right field on a one-year deal with Nick Castellanos already halfway out the door. They are also giving Justin Crawford every day center field job duties. That’s the direction they chose, for better or worse.
Could Harrison Bader go on a heater this year and make it look dumb?
Sure. In fact, that’s probably what’s going to happen, similar to what Austin Hayes did with the Reds after the Phillies cut ties. That’s just showbiz in the city of Brotherly Love. You come here, you suck, you leave, you become great.
Harrison Bader is slightly different because he came here, was good, then left when he could have easily been retained, and will likely be good again. I hope that’s the case, but maybe he’s back to a sub-.700 OPS guy who plays defense, runs hard, and gives you hustle but not much else at the plate.
That mystery is what made the Harrison Bader Experience so intriguing.
Either way, I would love it if he just stopped talking about us like we are the one that got away. You are a Giant now, Harrison Bader. An enemy of the state, if you will. Do the media circuit, smile for the cameras, hit the easy line.
“I’m focused on the Giants. Appreciate Philly. Great city. Moving on.”
If that doesn’t work for you, try this…
Sure, I understand that might seem harsh but unfortauntely, the Phillies organization, much like they did to you, Harrison Bader, has left me no choice. They have sucked the life out of me and this fanbase by talking down to us all winter, telling us they are going to basically cut Nick Castellanos and that Adolis Garcia is a major upgrade in right field.
They want us to be excited about a platoon with Brandon Marsh and Otto Kemp. They want us to believe in Justin Crawford without seeing him take a single pitch at the major league level. They are trying to sell us on Alec Bohm in the clean up spot, like we don’t already know that hasn’t worked for the past 3 years.
They want us to believe that JT Realmuto will find the fountain of youth and that Andrew Painter is the next No. 1 in the starting rotation, while his stats and recovery from Tommy John Surgery showed us the opposite in 2025.
That, Harrison Bader, is why I’m upset. Unfortunately you’re the guy I’m writing about today. Go Phils.
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