For the second time this offseason, the New York Mets went and signed another former New York Yankee when they agreed to a one-year, $10.5 million contract with center fielder Harrison Bader. It’s another player that new manager Carlos Mendoza is familiar with from his days as the bench coach in the Bronx. 

On the one hand, it has confused some Mets fans that they would continue to sign former players from the rivals in another borough. On the other hand, it continues what could be a new trend that the president of baseball operations, David Stearns, and the front office could be targeting in what might be a transition year in 2024. 

Photo by Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

That trend could be finding players who can fit in New York and have experience playing in the bright lights of the big city. Back when the Luis Severino signing was announced, Stearns said that one of the things he liked about Severino was his New York experience. 

“This is a really talented pitcher, first of all, he’s demonstrated that he’s performed in New York.”

When you look at Harrison Bader, the 29-year-old had some of his best playing moments in the Bronx. During the 2022 postseason, he was one of the bright spots for the Yankees offense when he hit five home runs (three of them in the ALDS against Cleveland). During that ALDS, Bader was tied for second on the team in hits with four behind only Anthony Rizzo (5). 

True, the postseason is a very small sample size and doesn’t correlate with Bader’s slash line of .237/.274/.353 with seven home runs, 46 RBIs, and a .627 OPS in 98 regular season games. However, the Bronxville, New York native did enjoy his time in the Bronx with the Yankees. 

While the Yankees had their fair share of offensive struggles last season, Bader did a decent job when it came to hitting with runners in scoring position. He slashed .257/.289/.419 with three home runs, 31 RBIs, a .708 OPS, and 14 strikeouts in 74 at-bats. If Bader continues this trend, he could find a way to put the ball in play and manufacture a run in a lineup that struggled with strikeouts. 

If you go back to when it was announced that Bader was being claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Reds in August, he had a very tearful goodbye to the media while New York was in Detroit talking about how much it meant for him to play in New York. 

“Growing up in Manhattan, my family lives in Bronxville, I went to Horace Mann on 242nd street,” Bader said outside the Yankees clubhouse after hearing the news. “Obviously, Yankee Stadium is on 161st St. in the Bronx. You know, I never thought I’d play in the big leagues let alone in the Yankees uniform. I have no idea what’s to come for the future. I certainly hope it’s in a Yankees uniform again, if that’s an option.”

As Bader now gets to come back home to New York, he has the opportunity to not only earn himself another contract down the road as he heads into his 30s but also has the chance to help Mendoza set up a different clubhouse culture going forward. 

In addition, Bader could help with a different strategy Stearns might be having going into 2024. If the Mets do fail to bring in another impact bat whether it’s JD Martinez or someone of that stature, their focus for winning games could fall mainly on run prevention. 

With Bader’s defense in center field, the former gold glove outfielder could go a long way to help with keeping opponents off of the scoreboard. Last year, he had four defensive runs saved (according to FanGraphs). Even though his range runs above average have fallen from 10.2 in 2021 to 4.3 last year, he gives the Mets more roster flexibility with his ability to play all three outfield positions. 

Even though he wouldn’t fit the ex-Yankee narrative, Stearns could continue the New York experience trend by going after Justin Turner, who could be a good veteran boost for third base and he knows what it’s like to be in New York. 

While it may pain some Mets fans to see former Yankees switching to the other side, their experience in New York could help form a different clubhouse in 2024 that can only help some of the younger players on the roster prepare for what to expect. 

When players get signed to one-year contracts, the opinion on them is usually that it’s a low-risk, high-reward type of deal. If Bader can stay on the field (five IL stints in the last two years), then it’s a move that can work if New York makes additional moves to help the offense.