Harrison Bader already does not have much a role for the SF Giants in 2027

The SF Giants may have a financial motive to retain Harrison Bader for now, even if he may eventually be released. Beyond that, there is already not much of a role for him in 2027.

On Tuesday, Buster Posey told Justice delos Santos of The Mercury News that Harrison Bader will be on the Giants roster, given that he is under contract through 2027. He did add that the veteran outfielder would need to play well to get playing time.

Posey's statement did not ooze with confidence. He had to address the Bader situation, but it felt like he did not necessarily believe in his own statement. The bit about needing to earn playing time is already an admission that it may be hard to come by.

Bader seemingly ended his Giants tenure when he was involved in a scooter incident while recovering from a foot injury. That incident resulted in him finishing the year on the injured list and being suspended without pay for the remainder of the year. That is about as extreme a measure that a team can take without voiding a player's contract. The Giants may not have the grounds to do that.

The SF Giants no longer need what Harrison Bader brought to the table

In the meantime, they may look to find a trade partner. If they cannot, then it would make sense to release the 10-year veteran.

The Giants may be done with Bader because of this incident, but there also might not be a role for him in 2027. They originally signed him to a two-year, $20.5 million pact. He was coming off a career year with the Minnesota Twins and Philadelphia Phillies, where he posted a .778 OPS with 17 home runs and 54 RBI in 501 plate appearances.

Of course, there were plenty of regression indicators in this performance, including a .359 babip. The Giants brought Bader in as a glove-first center fielder.

That was a problem area in 2025, which led to Jung Hoo Lee moving to right field. Less than one year after the contract was signed, the Giants no longer need a glove-first center fielder.

In fact, Drew Gilbert and Jonah Cox filled in nicely in Bader's absence. Giants center fielders put up 5 Outs Above Average (OAA) and 2 Fielding Run Value (FRV). Gilbert and Cox largely contributed to those positive marks, with the former getting better as the season progressed.

Plus, Gilbert displayed strong platoon splits against right-handed pitching. He is going to be in the lineup more often than not in those matchups. In 2026, about 70 percent of the pitchers the Giants faced threw from the right side.

That is already 70 percent of the playing time in center field earmarked for someone not named Bader. Gilbert should not be in the lineup against left-handed pitching, leaving open the remainder 30 percent of the playing time.

There is a good chance that the Giants want Cox taking those at-bats, given how much his speed disrupted opposing defenses. He has some versatility to move around the field, so the Giants will use him more than just as the soft side of the platoon in center field.

The Giants could use Bader in the corners, but they run into a similar issue. Like Gilbert, Jung Hoo Lee has strong platoon splits against right-handed pitching, meaning that he will be in the lineup in those matchups. Bader could fill in as the soft side of that platoon.

Unless they make an upgrade in left field, the Giants will lean on a combination of Bo Davidson, Victor Bericoto, and Scott Bandura.

There are gaps in the outfield where Bader could be used, but for the most part, playing time has already dried up. They may hold onto him until the new CBA is ratified, but it is hard to envision a role for him next year.

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