The San Francisco Giants have shown a clear pattern with their minor roster moves early in the offseason, and that pattern centers on improving their outfield defense. Their recent additions suggest a strong emphasis on bringing in players who can provide reliable, above-average run prevention in the outfield, particularly through athleticism, range, and defensive instincts.
The Giants took a step in that direction by claiming Justin Dean off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers. Dean is known more for his glove than his bat, offering speed and solid defensive ability in the outfield. Shortly after, the Giants reinforced that same strategy by acquiring Joey Wiemer from the Miami Marlins in a deal that cost them only cash considerations. Wiemer, like Dean, is viewed as a defense-first outfielder who can cover ground and provide value even when his offensive production is limited.
These moves together paint a clear picture of San Francisco’s priorities. The front office appears focused on building depth in the outfield with players who can be trusted on defense, especially in spacious ballparks and late-game situations where preventing runs can make the difference. Rather than investing heavily in big-name position players at this stage, the Giants seem intent on quietly strengthening areas that may have hurt them in the past, particularly defensive lapses or lack of range in the outfield.
Continuing along this same path, Harrison Bader would be a logical addition for San Francisco. Bader has long been recognized as one of the better defensive outfielders in the league, with excellent speed, strong reads off the bat, and award-winning fielding ability. He would immediately fit the identity the Giants are building — an outfield that prioritizes run prevention, athleticism, and defensive reliability. Adding Bader would not only reinforce their commitment to defense but also provide leadership and experience to complement the younger players they have already brought into the fold.
SF Giants have obvious free agent signing in Harrison Bader
There is a very clear and obvious reason why improving the outfield defense has become a major focus for the Giants entering the 2026 season. Throughout the 2025 campaign, the team regularly struggled to consistently make routine plays in the outfield, and those defensive breakdowns often came back to hurt them in close games.
Heliot Ramos, in particular, had an extremely difficult time adjusting to left field duties. At times, his inability to track balls cleanly off the bat or take efficient routes turned manageable fly balls into extra bases for opponents, costing the pitching staff extra pitches and, in some cases, entire innings.
Jung Hoo Lee, who was highly anticipated to be a stabilizing force in center field, also failed to live up to the defensive expectations many had for him. While his effort was never in question, his reads, positioning, and range frequently left something to be desired. Instead of serving as an anchor in the middle of the diamonds, his presence in center field often raised concerns. This combination of defensive uncertainty in both left and center made the Giants’ outfield one of the more inconsistent units in the league from a run-prevention standpoint.
On the other hand, right field was much more stable, at least for a period of time. Mike Yastrzemski consistently provided dependable defense in right, showing strong instincts, a good arm, and sound fundamentals.
Even after Yastrzemski was eventually moved, the Giants were fortunate that Drew Gilbert stepped in and proved capable of handling right field with confidence and efficiency. Still, having one dependable spot in the outfield does little to compensate for ongoing problems across the other two positions. If the Giants want to truly improve as a team, they cannot simply patch one corner; they must upgrade the unit as a whole.
The recent additions of Justin Dean and Joey Wiemer signal that the front office is aware of the problem and is making attempts to address it. However, both players project more as depth options rather than everyday starters. They profile better as bench pieces, late-inning defensive replacements, or platoon players used in favorable matchups. While these moves add value in a limited sense, they do not solve the core issue of needing a reliable, elite defender who can start nearly every day and bring stability to the outfield alignment.
This is where a player like Harrison Bader becomes incredibly intriguing. After choosing to decline his mutual option with the Philadelphia Phillies, Bader is once again available on the open market. That decision makes him one of the more attractive center field options in free agency, particularly for a team prioritizing defense. Bader is coming off a strong 2025 season in which he split his time between the Minnesota Twins and the Phillies, proving that he can still perform at a high level on both sides of the ball.
Offensively, Bader delivered solid production over 146 games. He recorded a slash line of .277/.347/.449, demonstrating a respectable combination of batting average, on-base ability, and power. On top of that, he launched 17 home runs and collected 54 RBIs, numbers that would be more than acceptable from a defense-first outfielder. While his bat may not be considered elite, it is more than capable of contributing meaningfully to a lineup, especially if placed in the lower half where run production is still valuable.
Defensively, however, is where Bader truly separates himself. For years, he has carried the reputation of being one of the best defensive outfielders in baseball. His instincts, speed, range, and willingness to sacrifice his body for tough catches set him apart.
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That reputation was formally recognized in 2021 when he earned a Gold Glove Award, an honor reserved for the top defenders at their respective positions. Even now, he continues to grade out as an above-average to elite defender, especially in center field, where his speed and awareness allow him to cover large amounts of ground.
If the Giants were to pursue Bader, they would have some interesting decisions to make regarding their defensive alignment. One option would be to install Bader in center field, immediately upgrading the most important defensive position in the outfield. That would allow Jung Hoo Lee to shift to right field, where the defensive demands are generally less intense and more manageable. Such a move could benefit Lee in the long run, putting him in a position to succeed rather than forcing him to struggle in a role that clearly does not suit him best.
Of course, moving Lee from center field might be interpreted by some as an insult or a demotion. It could be seen as a sign of lost faith or public embarrassment for a player brought in with high expectations. However, baseball is ultimately about putting players in positions where they can best contribute to team success. If such a change significantly strengthens the overall defense, then it may be a necessary and justified adjustment. Winning games must remain the top priority, and improving run prevention through better defensive alignment is a crucial part of that objective.
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Another possible scenario would involve placing Bader in right field instead, allowing him to share responsibilities with Drew Gilbert or provide insurance in case of injury or inconsistency. This configuration would still improve the overall defensive quality of the outfield while giving the team additional flexibility based on matchups and rest schedules. Either way, adding a proven defender like Bader would elevate the entire unit.
The biggest question facing the front office centers around money and priorities. Bader is not going to come cheap. Given his recent performance and his established defensive track record, it is reasonable to expect that he will command a multi-year contract worth more than $10 million per season. For a team that is also desperate to strengthen its pitching staff, committing that level of financial resources to an outfielder may not be an easy decision.
Pitching is clearly a top priority for the Giants in this offseason, and funds will need to be allocated carefully. Elite starters and reliable relievers do not come at a bargain, and investing heavily in both areas could limit the budget available for other positions. This creates a classic dilemma: should the Giants prioritize run prevention through pitching, or should they also be willing to spend significantly to improve defense behind that pitching?
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There is also the possibility that the Giants continue to take a more conservative approach by making smaller, low-risk acquisitions in an attempt to gradually improve their outfield defense. They could add more depth, focus on internal development, or rely on strategic platoons rather than commit to a major free-agent signing. While that approach minimizes financial risk, it also limits the potential for a dramatic and immediate turnaround in defensive performance.
However, if the Giants are truly serious about transforming their outfield from a liability into a strength, then pursuing a player like Harrison Bader may be the most logical and effective move they can make. His presence would immediately raise the floor and ceiling of the defense, provide leadership and experience, and take pressure off other players who may be better suited to different roles.
In the end, the decision will reflect how committed the organization is to addressing its defensive shortcomings in a decisive way. Minor tweaks can help, but a major upgrade requires a bold move. Signing Bader would send a clear message that the Giants are determined to fix one of their biggest weaknesses and are prepared to invest in turning defense back into a cornerstone of their identity.
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