Sep 11, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Harrison Bader (2) reacts after his double against the New York Mets during the first inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
When the New York Mets traded outfielder Brandon Nimmo to the Texas Rangers for second baseman Marcus Semien, a lot of people around baseball were scratching their heads.
It was obviously a swap of two big-money contracts with some term left on them, but the Mets were trading away a player who was at least productive offensively for them and who plays a position that is bereft of talent in free agency, in exchange for a one-time star who has had significantly diminished offensive production and is now 35 years old.
But before you go all LOLMets on this trade, ask yourself this question - How does this potentially impact the Phillies?
I'm glad you asked.
The Mets now need an outfielder. Heck, they may need two if rumors that they are now shopping Jeff McNeil are also true.
That makes another team - and one with financial wherewithal - playing in the same market as the Phillies.
Competition in free agency is never a good thing, especially if it's with teams from New York and Los Angeles who are the only teams to outspend the Phillies.
With that said, doesn't a reunion with Harrison Bader make a lot of sense for the Mets?
welcome back to the mets harrison bader https://t.co/k6b47tItg2
He was well-liked when he was there, even if he didn't produce as well as he did in 2025 with Minnesota and the Phillies. His vibe, energy, and edge were a big part of what carried the Mets past the Phillies in the 2024 NLDS and into the NLCS against the Dodgers.
He's also a native New Yorker, which would allow him to go home again.
The Phillies have already publicly expressed an interest in Bader. Bader has expressed an interest in testing the market and sent a social media message to Philadelphia more than a month after the season ended that didn't exactly sound like a goodbye, meaning he likely would be open to coming back.
And while Bader is also looking to cash in on his career-best season, he is also chasing a ring, so he's going to likely sign with a team that offers the combination of both paying him well and giving him a shot at winning a championship.
Harrison Bader had it the whole way 😎 pic.twitter.com/QGIininRMT
That reduces the number of teams, but one would think both the Phillies and Mets are near the top of the list.
The question is, which situation is more attractive to him?
If all things are equal, does he decide going home is better? Or does he look at the Phillies as the better team overall and re-signs here?
And what if things aren't equal? Well, that favors the Mets, as owner Steve Cohen doesn't seem to have as low a ceiling on spending silly money that John Middleton and friends do.
Bader is likely to get a two-year deal at age 32. Somewhere in the neighborhood of $26 million. But, would the Mets guarantee a third year? Would they pay him more than $13 million per season?
If so, they probably win this race and leave the Phillies looking under every rock possible to find a better outfield in 2026.
