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Giants Install Harrison Bader in Center, Shift Jung Hoo Lee to Right

San Francisco casts the switch as a fix for last year’s league-worst outfield defense.

Overview

  • President of baseball operations Buster Posey said Bader will be the everyday center fielder and Lee will move to right field, though Lee may still receive some center-field reps.
  • Bader finalized a two-year, $20.5 million contract, and the Giants say his arrival should strengthen an outfield alignment that also features Heliot Ramos in left.
  • The Giants tied for last in MLB outfield defense in 2025 at minus-18 Outs Above Average, and Bader brings a 2021 Gold Glove and a position-leading 76 OAA since 2018.
  • Lee has accepted the role change and is expected to play center for Korea in the World Baseball Classic, with the Giants using a Papago Park field that mirrors Oracle Park’s right field to speed his transition.
  • The front office continues to explore upgrades—especially at second base—while expressing general comfort with a rotation already supplemented by Adrian Houser and Tyler Mahle.