Phillies Land Slugging Outfielder At MLB Trade Deadline: Reports

PHILADELPHIA, PA — The Phillies have landed Minnesota Twins outfielder Harrison Bader, according to multiple sources around the league.

ESPN's Jeff Passan was the first to report the news, which was quickly confirmed by MLB Network's Mark Feinsand.

Bader, 31, has been known throughout his career for his outfield glove, but is having his best ever year at the plate, slugging to a .779 OPS (on base plus slugging percentage), along with 12 home runs and 10 stolen bases.

Though his pedigree falls short of bigger names on the outfield market like Luis Robert Jr. and Ramon Laureano, Bader fills a long-known Phillies need for a right-handed outfield bat. Bader could slot in any outfield position, but will likely take over as the Phillies every day centerfielder.

His contract expires at the end of the season, so he is purely a rental.

The Phillies will send back two prospects, outfielder Hendry Mendez and pitcher Geremy Villoria, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports. Mendez, 21, is the 12th ranked prospect in the Phillies farm system, according to MLB Pipeline, while Villoria is just 16-years-old and was signed in January as an international free agent from Venezuela.

It's the second major trade of the past day for the Phillies ahead of the 6 p.m. trade deadline on Thursday. On Wednesday, they swung a more significant trade, also with the Twins, to land All Star relief pitcher Jhoan Duran. Duran is one of the best closers in all of baseball, and will be controlled by the Phillies through the 2027 season.

The Phils have struggled to get consistent offensive production from center and left field all year, with Johan Rojas providing excellent defense but well below average offense, and Brandon Marsh swinging a very streaky bat.

While Bader in center, the Phillies could swing Marsh and Rojas into a platoon in left field. The acquisition raises questions over offseason acquisition Max Kepler's future role, particularly as one of their top prospects, Justin Crawford, is knocking on the door in AAA.

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