Phillies’ love affair with former NY Mets player ends, another battle brews

Over the summer, the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies engaged in several trade deadline battles. Without question, the Phillies came away on top. Adding Jhoan Duran completely redefined their bullpen. A smaller yet impactful sweepstakes they won plugged ex-Mets outfielder Harrison Bader into center field for them.

Bader’s contract paid him $4.75 million last year with a player option for 2026 at $10 million. The $10 million available for this coming year is actually less than he got from the Mets in 2024 when he spent the last two months watching most of the games from the bench. Bader has chosen to opt out of the second year.

A reunion with the Mets is possible but unlikely his top choice as the Mets should be going short-term rather than any longer commitment. The Mets need a love affair of their own. With the Phillies potentially in the market to re-sign Bader, one of their other options is to take the perfect fit away from the Mets.

Are we about to get another Mets vs. Phillies battle for Luis Robert Jr.?

The Phillies were very much in on a trade for Luis Robert Jr. last July as much as the Mets. They ended up with Bader who hit .305 for them. His exceptional run in Philadelphia should have them in talks to reunite, but what if they’re not interested in keeping him around for as long as he may desire?

Bader’s exceptional defense had the Mets signing him to a lofty one-year deal for 2024 with his late-season fall crashing his market value. He began the 2025 season with the Minnesota Twins, playing mostly left field. He should be able to find a team interested in his services as a center fielder. The market is thin at the position with players like Trent Grisham coming off of a spectacular albeit outlier season and Cedric Mullins who couldn’t have been any less satisfying of a trade deadline acquisition for the Mets.

The obvious difference between a free agent (Bader) and a trade candidate (Robert) is the cost. Bader only requires money. Robert will cost the Mets and Phillies young players. Robert also comes with a salary double of what Bader just surrendered. For $20 million, he’ll suit up for you and maybe hit .220 while missing 60 games. With Robert, it’s the incredible upside of hitting 30+ home runs in a full season which has teams interested.

At minimum, we could expect Robert to play exceptional defense and steal a lot of bags. In 100 games last year with the Chicago White Sox, he stole 33 despite having an OBP just under .300. A good match for the Mets who need a temporary boost in center field to begin the year, Bader’s choice to clear space on the Phillies roster creates a new challenge for David Stearns to get his guy.