After hearing from David Stearns that Harrison Bader would get regular reps in center field, meaning Brandon Nimmo would get time in left field, Tiki was convinced that Nimmo could be on the move.
“They’re gonna trade him,” Tiki said. “What did he sign, a seven or eight-year deal for center field money, and then go get a center fielder that you’re going to play every day?
“That’s just my gut…He also doesn’t want to play left field.”
Nimmo just signed an eight-year, $162 million contract last offseason, and was once again a productive hitter in 2023, batting .274 with a career-high 24 home runs. Of course, Stearns could decide that a return for Nimmo in prospects would help the initiative of revamping the farm system and looking to the future, but Evan isn’t buying it.
Regardless, Tiki found Stearns’ comments on Bader and Nimmo to be curious.
“That was a very succinct question, and a rambling answer,” Tiki said. “He’s smoke screening you, dude…He created a long answer for a very easy question.
“Why would you say [Bader] is gonna play regularly if he’s your fourth outfielder?”