One way the SF Giants can shed veteran outfielder's contract off the books

The SF Giants should look to hit the reset button on their offseason signings. That is easier said than done for the players on expiring contracts, but they should be able to shed Harrison Bader's contract by paying down some of the remainder of what he is owed.

The Giants signed Bader to a two-year, $20.5 million pact in the offseason. They had hoped to bolster the defense in center field, and the veteran outfielder has been one of the best defenders since he made his debut with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2017.

Unfortunately, Bader has missed extensive time this season. He sustained a hamstring strain earlier in the year and has been on the injured list with plantar fasciitis since the end of May. When he was healthy, the results were not much better. He put up a .557 OPS in 111 plate appearances.

That said, the 10-year veteran has a track record of being a fairly reliable fourth outfielder. There has often been a wide range of outcomes in his offensive performance in his career, but he has typically demonstrated modest power upside.

SF Giants should look to pay down portion of Harrison Bader's contract to faciliate a trade

Bader was coming off of a career year at the plate, where he put up a .796 OPS with 17 home runs and 54 RBI in 501 plate appearances. There were several regression indicators, inclduing a .359 babip. There was a good chance that he would not be able to replicate those numbers.

The Giants will look to move Tyler Mahle and Luis Arráez before the trade deadline, but they should look to move one of the players they signed to a multi-year deal. Of course, that list includes Bader and Adrian Houser.

Neither one will be particularly easy to move, but where there is a will, there is a way. Houser struggled during his time in the rotation, but his stint in the bullpen has not fared much better. Teams always need pitching, but that includes the Giants, even if it is just to finish out the year.

On the other hand, a quality fourth outfielder could provide a boost to a lot of lineups. Bader has not performed that way this year, but that is what he has been. The remainder of his contract is not prohibitive by any means.

The right-handed is owed the less than $5 million for the remainder of this year, and $10.25 million in 2027. If the Giants pitch in some cash, that could help facilitate a trade. They should be willing to pitch in cash because this iteration of the roster is not working. Perhaps, if they pay down $5 million of the remainder of his deal, that could interest some teams. At that point, it would be a reasonable rate for a player of that caliber.

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