Overview
- The agreement is pending a physical and guarantees $20.5 million with incentives that could bring the total to about $21 million, per multiple reports.
- San Francisco is expected to install Bader as the everyday center fielder, with Jung Hoo Lee projected to move to right field.
- Bader, 31, is coming off a career-best 2025 at the plate (17 home runs, .347 on-base percentage) and has elite Outs Above Average marks since 2018.
- The fit bolsters outfield coverage in spacious Oracle Park, addressing a long-identified need for improved center-field defense.
- The signing further thins a limited free-agent outfield market after interest from teams including the Yankees and Mets; separately, New York finalized Cody Bellinger’s return as Carlos Rodón remains on track to open 2026 on the injured list.