The Philadelphia Phillies have something to add to their offseason to-do list, and that’s get on the same page with Bryce Harper, who said he was “hurt” by recent comments made by team president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski.
During the Phillies’ end-of-season news conference, Dombrowski wondered aloud whether the 33-year-old Harper could return to elite form following a down season statistically.
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“He’s still an All-Star-caliber player. He didn’t have an elite season like he has had in the past,” Dombrowski said. “And I guess we only find out if he becomes elite or he continues to be good.”
Harper suited up for 132 games in 2025, hitting 27 home runs, recording 75 RBI and batting .261 with an .844 OPS, numbers that were down from what he posted the previous few seasons with the Phillies.
“I have given my all to Philly from the start,” Harper told Matt Gelb of The Athletic. “Now there is trade talk? I made every effort to avoid this. It’s all I heard in D.C. (with the Nationals). I hated it. It makes me feel uncomfortable.”
Harper, who has six years left on his contract, dealt with a wrist injury this year. He pointed to that missed time as to why it wasn’t his usual strong statistical year.
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“It’s disappointing to hear me being questioned about my contribution to the team. Just really hurt by that notion because I love Philly so much,” he said.
Bryce Harper has six years left on a 13-year, $330 million contract he signed in 2019. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
(Katelyn Mulcahy via Getty Images)
Dombrowski appeared on the “Foul Territory” podcast this week to try to clarify his comments. He said the Phillies aren’t looking to move Harper, and he knows better seasons are ahead for the two-time NL MVP.
“This thing’s got a life of its own,” Dombrowski said. “Now I’ve been reading that, ‘Oh, the Phillies may trade Bryce Harper.’ That couldn’t be further from the truth. We love him. We think he’s a great player. He’s a very important part of our team. I’ve seen him have better years. I look for him to have better years.”
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Harper said he had not heard from Dombrowski or anyone else in the organization since the comments were made. He also wanted to make clear that he wants to remain with the franchise until he retires.
“I wanted these fans to know Philly is my home, so from the start, I made the commitment to stay here for the rest of my career,” Harper said Saturday. “No opt-out, even though I was advised otherwise. I trust [Phillies managing partner] John [Middleton].”
The Phillies have reached the postseason in each of the past four seasons with Harper, who won MVP in 2021. They reached the World Series in 2022 and followed that with a trip to the NLCS in 2023. The past two years, however, have not been as successful in October, with a pair of four-game defeats in the NLDS.
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When healthy, Harper is among the best hitters in baseball, as proven by his four Silver Slugger Awards and career .905 OPS. He’s confident he can return to his old self at the plate; he just wishes he had more confidence from the Phillies organization.
“From changing positions to coming back early from injury, I show total commitment for my team,” Harper said. “And yet there is still trade talk.”