Yankees' Harrison Bader Claimed On Waivers, Joins NL Contender

Harrison Bader learned he was placed on waivers by the New York Yankees on Wednesday by seeing it on TV in the lunchroom. Nevertheless, he went out and played at night, got a base hit and stole a base. They would be his last for his hometown team. 

Harrison Bader is back in the playoff race

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Bader was claimed off waivers today by the Cincinnati Reds, who have massively boosted their outfield in their playoff push by adding Bader as well as slugger Hunter Renfroe, who was waived by the Los Angeles Angels earlier in the week. 

"I'm very excited to be joining a club that's in their position," Bader said. "I have a lot of familiarity with not only the Reds but their division as well, a lot of the opponents that they have. I've already checked the schedule, so I'm just excited to go out there and play meaningful baseball down the stretch here."

The Reds are just 1.0 game back of the final Wild Card spot in the NL. 

For the Bronxville native, it's a sad farewell to the team he cheered for growing up, but Bader will be joining an exciting young team in the Reds that desperately needed to shore up their outfield. Defensively, Bader will do just that, undoubtedly. Offensively might be more in question. 

As Bader alluded to, Cinci knows the 29-year-old well from battling him for six seasons with their Central Division rival St. Louis Cardinals. He won a Gold Glove for them in 2021. Bader has a .643 OPS in 84 games with New York this year, along with 7 homers, 17 steals and a mediocre 75 OPS+.

Bader is a pending free agent. 

Photo: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports