Giants say Harrison Bader violated contract, will not pay him until healthy

The San Francisco Giants (47-62) signed Harrison Bader to be a key contributor on a potential playoff team. Oh, how plans change. Tony Vitello’s ballclub is 10 games out of the final National League Wild Card slot, and the veteran outfielder is done for the season. It gets worse, though. Because Bader aggravated his foot injury by getting into a scooter crash last weekend, the organization is suspending his pay for violating his contract, per USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.

The 32-year-old right-handed hitter inked a two-year, $20.5 million deal with the club during the offseason, but according to Giants brass, he will not receive any more money until he gets healthy. Bader was recovering from plantar fasciitis at the time of his accident and has not played since May 29. Even before that injury, and this franchise-imposed penalty, he was having a rough year.

Bader posted a .170 batting average, .198 on-base percentage, .358 slugging percentage and .557 OPS with five home runs and 14 RBIs in 111 plate appearances this season. He will not get the chance to improve on that meager yet troubling sample size.

It remains to be seen how the 2021 Gold Glove Award winner and MLB Players Association reacts to the Giants’ decision. The last thing this team needs is a public conflict.

San Francisco’s season never really got off the ground, but the squad can still benefit by having a successful trade deadline and preparing its young players for the 2027 campaign. Harrison Bader will not be part of that process, however. He will continue his rehab and figure out how to change his circumstances moving forward.

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