Harrison Bader was a true Yankee in 2022.
He made a cameo appearance in September before breaking out in October, commanding the team’s entire playoff offense in his disappointing victory over the Astros.
Unfortunately, that momentum and his hometown momentum didn’t continue into 2023, as Bader’s bat couldn’t keep up with his glove (and often wasn’t usable at all) in an injury-plagued season.
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In the blink of an eye, the 29-year-old Gator went from a beloved dirt dog to a mere nuisance in a crowded lineup.
His career with the Yankees ended long ago Thursday, when he was abruptly placed on waivers in late August and spent a stretch run in Cincinnati.
Good news for Vader?
We have a second team that plays in New York.
The bad news?
It’s the Mets, and they just signed him to a one-year, $10.
5 million contract, where he will take over for Luis Severino as he looks to make a comeback.
Mets sign former Yankees CF Harrison Bader
As recently as spring, Bader felt he was an integral part of the Yankees’ roster and should be given a three- or four-year extension.
Unfortunately, his injury issues resurfaced early last season, just as Cardinals fans expected.
Bader missed spring training with an oblique strain and picked up a hamstring issue in May, the same month he was activated for his 2023 debut.
He arrived in the Bronx in exchange for Jordan Montgomery, who is wearing a walking boot and battling plantar fasciitis.
Vader remained popular, and not just because of his childhood fan base or hometown roots.
He was light on his feet in midfield (when that foot was not in the boot) and his defense lived up to expectations for lightness.
Although he has hung on to the bowl at times, his bat hasn’t been as consistent as expected.
His 69 OPS+ in 2023 may have been the biggest liability in an OPS-laden offense.
Now he can stay local and reunite with college teammate Pete Alonso for what may be his final two years in Flushing.
It’s a good fit and rotational piece for Brandon Nimmo, but it definitely has a comical whiff of Little Brother Energy after the Mets’ signing of Luis Severino.
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