By Scott Barancik, Editor
Two teams fighting for a spot in the 2025 MLB playoffs made moves just hours before the trade deadline, acquiring Jewish players they hope will boost their chances.
The Philadelphia Phillies (61-47), currently second in the race for one of three National League wildcard spots, acquired outfielder Harrison Bader from the Twins (51-57). Meanwhile, the New York Yankees (60-49), who hold the American League’s top wildcard spot, picked up right-handed reliever Jake Bird from the last-place Rockies (28-80). In exchange, the Twins received a 16-year-old pitcher and a top outfield prospect, while the Rockies nabbed two Top 30 prospects—a second baseman and a left-handed pitcher.
Both trades had been anticipated by league insiders.
Bader, whose one-year, $6.25-million deal with the Twins this season was described by MLB.com as “one of the winter’s best signings,” is a Gold Glove centerfielder whose defense has saved more runs since 2017 than all but four other Major League outfielders, according to MLB Trade Rumors. He also is enjoying his most productive season at the plate since 2021. Bader is one of only 24 A.L. hitters with more than 10 HRs and 10 stolen bases this season, and he is batting 17% better than the league average, according to Weighted Runs Created Plus (WRC+).
ESPN predicts the Phillies, Bader’s 7th team in 9 MLB seasons, will use him mostly against left-handed pitching. The 31-year-old’s experience playing in five postseasons should serve the team well as they near the playoffs. If both parties agree, Bader will remain in Philadelphia in 2026 at a salary of $10-million. He already has committed to play for Team Israel in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Unlike journeyman Bader, Rockies reliever Bird has played his entire 4-year career with the same team. The UCLA alum’s first three seasons, during which he posted a combined 4.53 ERA, were largely unremarkable, perhaps not surprising given Colorado’s cumulative record of 197-287 during that period. In 2023, Bird struggled in all save situations, failing to protect any of the 11 opportunities he was given.
The 2025 season began quite differently. Through the end of April, Bird was carrying an MLB-best 0.95 ERA and averaging 12.3 strikeouts per game. By May 31, his ERA remained svelte at 1.67. A challenging July brought the 29-year-old back to earth, with his ERA climbing from 2.63 to 4.73.
But the Yankees see value in Bird, who joins southpaw Max Fried on the pitching staff and brings the franchise’s tally of major- and minor-league Jewish hurlers this season to five. “Bird has solid underlying metrics, including a 26.3 percent strikeout rate (77th percentile), 88.2 mph average exit velocity (77th percentile) and 46.6 percent ground-ball rate (70th percentile),” the New York Post reported. According to the New York Times, “Bird gives the Yankees another high-strikeout reliever who can be deployed in their middle innings.” Bird will remain under the team’s control through 2028.
