Reds should jump at the opportunity to snag this Yankees outfielder

While some fans have declared the Cincinnati Reds dead in the water, the reality is that David Bell's team is very much alive in the hunt for a spot in the postseason.

There are several teams at this point in the season who have virtually given up, and one of them is the New York Yankees. According to Erik Boland of Newsday Sports, the Yankees have placed outfielder Harrison Bader on waivers.

Though no one would have said this before the trade deadline, it's painfully obvious that the Reds need an extra bat or two if they hope to make a run at the playoffs. Bader could be a fine addition to this Reds team.

Reds should jump at the opportunity to snag Yankees outfielder Harrison Bader.

Harrison Bader has always been known for his glove. Winning a Gold Glove with the Stt. Louis Cardinals in 2021, Bader has spent the better part of the last year-plus with the New York Yankees.

Currently, Bader is hitting .239/.275/.365 and has seven home runs and 37 RBI on the season. That's not very impressive at all, but looking beyond his overall stats allows one to see why Bader would be a good addition to the Reds lineup.

Bader has shined against left-handed pitching this season. The 29-year-old has hit .349/.389/.697 against southpaws in 2023. Bader's 1.087 OPS against lefties is even better that Nick Senzel's OPS of .910 when facing left-handers.

Harrison Bader is in the final year of a two-year deal and will be a free agent in the offseason, so there's no long term commitment. Bader would certainly be an upgrade over players like Senzel and TJ Hopkins. Senzel's ability to play the infielder, however, probably gives the former first-round pick some staying power given the numerous injuries currently plaguing the Reds.

If the Cincinnati Reds see more long-term potential in a player like Hopkins, Michael Siani, or Stuart Fairchild, then it's more likely that Nick Krall and the front office stay the course. However, snagging Bader for next to nothing could be a low-risk/ high-reward move.