PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Phillies are acquiring outfielder Harrison Bader for two minor leaguers, a person with direct knowledge of the trade said Thursday, their second deal with the Minnesota Twins in two days after landing closer Jhoan Duran.
The person confirmed the swap to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because it was pending a review of medical records. ESPN was first to report it.
The 31-year-old Bader, a 2021 Gold Glove winner, remains a strong defender at all three outfield spots and has 12 home runs, 38 RBIs and a .778 OPS in 96 games. Bader adds another bat to an outfield that has struggled to put up big offensive numbers. He also has postseason experience, playing in five postseason series with the Cardinals, Yankees and Mets with a .809 OPS and five career homers.
The right-handed hitting Bader could fall into a platoon with left-handers Brandon Marsh in center or Max Kepler in left.
The Phillies are sending minor league outfielder Hendry Mendez and right-hander Geremy Villoria to the Twins for Bader.
The Phillies acquired Duran to round out the bullpen a day earlier. He has 16 saves and a 2.01 ERA in 49 appearances this season, striking out 53 in 49 1/3 innings. That deal cost the win-now Phillies a stronger pair of prospects in catcher Eduardo Tait and right-hander Mick Abel.
Philadelphia is battling the New York Mets for the NL East title. The Phillies won the division last year before they were eliminated by the Mets in their NL Division Series.
Read the full article here