The St. Louis Cardinals have turned their focus to the 2025 season. They let go of Shawn Armstrong and Tommy Pham who they acquired at the trade deadline.
However, they will have some holes to fill if they want to contend next season, particularly on the offensive side.
With uncertainty surrounding Jordan Walker's future, they may need a right-handed outfield bat to boost offensive production. To do that, they could potentially reunite with former fan-favorite Harrison Bader.
Bader has spent the 2024 season with the New York Mets, hitting .246 with 10 home runs, 45 RBI, 15 stolen bases, and a .673 OPS. He can provide power from the right side of the plate, as well as elite speed and defense.
He came up to the Major Leagues through the Cardinals system in 2017 and was the team's primary center fielder until they traded him to the New York Yankees for Jordan Montgomery at the 2022 deadline.
St. Louis originally selected Bader with the 100th overall pick in the 2015 MLB Draft. If the Cardinals were to sign him for 2025, they would likely do so as an insurance policy in case Walker struggles at the plate again. Bader would give them a solid backup option.
The 30-year-old outfielder even won a Gold Glove for the Cardinals in 2021, joining Tommy Edman, Tyler O'Neill, Nolan Arenado, and Paul Goldschmidt.
He won't be the most sought-after free agent on the list this winter, but it might be smart for St. Louis to give him a look as they try to boost their offensive production for 2025. We'll see if the Cardinals decide to pursue a reunion.
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