Phillies linked to trade for Giants' $20.5 million outfielder that'd be very lackluster

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The Philadelphia Phillies, following the likely season-ending injury to Adolis Garcia, have a dire need for more outfield help this season.

While they already needed outfield before the injury, Garcia's absence will make this issue all the more pressing. Looking at the deadline options, there are some appealing targets like Byron Buxton and Mike Trout, but they're not likely.

MLB insider Robert Murray of Fansided.com linked the Phillies to a $20.5 million outfielder from the San Francisco Giants, who, while they would make sense to trade for, would be incredibly lackluster for the fanbase hoping to see a big addition this summer.

Phillies linked to lackluster $20.5M outfield trade target from Giants

"Another name in San Francisco that could make sense for Philadelphia: (Harrison) Bader," Murray writes. "The Phillies are reportedly looking for more outfield help, and the team acquired Bader at last season's deadline, with the 10-year veteran hitting .305/.361/.463 with an .824 OPS, five homers and 16 RBI over 50 games."

Harrison Bader, in a vacuum, would make sense as a Phillies trade target. He's a right-handed hitting outfielder with solid defense and good speed who has had some decent offensive production in his career.

But there are a few clear issues. The first is that Bader is currently on the injured list, and there will be questions about how he holds up coming back from the IL, especially after his injury during last year's postseason.

Another issue is that Bader is under contract for $20.5 million over the next season and a half. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but since he's not an impending free agent, it will likely cost the Phillies a bit more to acquire him than if he were a rental.

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Lastly, while it's not a real issue based on his on-field production or his contract status, the Phillies traded for Bader last season and let him walk in the offseason.

It wouldn't look good for Dave Dombrowski to trade for someone, let them walk, and then trade more assets for them a year later to acquire them at the deadline once again.

If Bader were a very cheap rental, then a small trade in back-to-back seasons wouldn't be that strange. But, in this situation, making a trade for Bader would be a tough sell for the Phillies front office.

Trading for Bader would be a very lackluster move, as the Phillies fan base already would've seen what might be the best of Bader, and anything less than the .824 OPS he had for them last year would be a disappointment.

A new face would be a lot more exciting, especially since the concerns with this team in recent years have revolved around running it back, which has somewhat come back to haunt them this season with Alec Bohm and J.T. Realmuto.