Bronx native Harrison Bader had his homecoming moment in 2022 when the New York Yankees traded him from the St.Louis Cardinals in exchange for Jordan Montgomery. Bader lived his dream by donning the pinstripes for almost a year. Right from his Yankee debut, the center field seemed a permanent and long-term fit.
However, things evolved drastically in 2023 as Harrison Bader succumbed to pressure in the middle of a challenging season. Eventually, the Yankees had to cut him off in late August. Having said that, as off-season inches chose, rumors of a reunion with Bader have picked up pace out of nowhere. But does the speculations hold any ground? And if it does, is it the right choice?
Jim Bowden Links Harrison Bader To Yankees In A One-Year Minimum Deal!
Harrison Bader is a talented outfielder with a reputation for outstanding defense and a capable bat. He is electric in the outfield, and the Yankee fans saw glimpses of his brilliance in 2023. However, persisting injury issues shunted the center fielder’s growth. He kept hopping on and off the injury list, which messed with his rhythm. That instability eventually took a toll on Bader’s offensive form. It got bad to a point where the Yanks had no option but to part ways with Bader. In late August, Harrison Bader was put on waivers by the Yankees, wherein he was claimed off by the Cincinnati Reds.
Meanwhile, Harrison Bader is set to enter free agency in 2024, and if Jim Bowden of The Athletic is to be believed, the center-fielder is one of the best-fit free agents for the New York Yankees. Basically, he suggested a reunion through a one-year deal worth $8 million. Regardless of what Bowden believes, it does not make sense for the Yanks to go back to Bader after a brief, unsuccessful stint. Sure, Bader is great in the field, but his offensive lackluster became a liability this year. Not to forget the outfielder’s troubling injury history. Instead, the Bronx Bombers can opt for options like Kevin Kiermaier or Jeimer Candelario, who are in much better form. Additionally, the Yanks have a permanent center field solution in Jasson Dominguez. They just need a temporary fix that can last until Martian returns in mid-2024.
Bombers’ Bench Coach Interviews With Mets!
After Sean Casey, the New York Yankees could lose yet another coaching staff ahead of the 2024 season. As per the New York Post, Yanks bench coach Carlos Mendoza has interviewed for a managerial position opening at city rivals New York Mets. The Mets fired their previous skipper, Buck Showalter, at the conclusion of an unsuccessful 2023 season, and the position has been vacant ever since.
Carlos Mendoza has been associated with the New York Yankees since 2009. He was appointed as the bench coach in 2020. The news of Mendoza’s alleged job interview at Mets shouldn’t come as a surprise. He earlier interviewed at Cleveland Guardians to replace Tito Francona. Mendoza’s moves clearly suggest that he would take an exit in 2024. After spending years in the Bronx, the bench coach has enough experience in hand to take the big leap.