Twins Predicted To Cut Ties With Former Gold Glove Outfielder

The Minnesota Twins are likely to be sellers at the trade deadline, and with the trade deadline approaching, they are likely to send off expiring contracts, including former Gold Glove outfielder Harrison Bader, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic predicted. This could be a move to set themselves up for the future.

The Twins entered Monday just five games out of the final wild card, but face the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox for two of their next three series leading up to the trade deadline. Moving Bader could net a decent return, though nothing that would be franchise-changing, and could move the Twins closer to contention in the future.

Bader’s defensive value still ranks among the best in the league, sitting in the 94th percentile in Outs Above Average. Bader is hitting .254 with 11 home runs this season, and that production, along with his defensive prowess, would be a welcome addition to many contenders’ outfield.

With Bader on an expiring contract, the Twins could salvage what could be lost in the offseason by trading their outfielder to a contender ahead of the trade deadline. One contending team that could use Bader’s defensive ability and his effective bat is the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Phillies could move Bader back to his natural centerfield, the position he was forced out of as he shares an outfield with Byron Buxton. Bader would patch the Phillies’ hole in centerfield and would come at a lower cost than other outfield options on the market this trade season.

The Twins could flip the script, but with a formidable stretch ahead, could begin to make moves soon as the deadline approaches.

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