The Philadelphia Phillies are facing growing uncertainty after a tense offseason exchange cast doubt on Bryce Harper’s long-term outlook with the franchise.
During a media session, Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski made headlines when he suggested that Harper no longer fits the “elite” label typically associated with him. While acknowledging that Harper still had a solid year, Dombrowski implied the 33-year-old didn’t rank among baseball’s top-tier talents in 2025.
“When you think of Bryce Harper, you think elite one of the top 10 players in the game,” Dombrowski said. “I don’t think last season quite reached that level. He’s still very good. I’ve seen players his age plateau, and I’ve seen others rise again.”
Harper didn’t hide his frustration. The two-time MVP made it clear he was surprised the criticism was aired publicly, especially given the organization’s previous emphasis on keeping internal matters private.
“I don’t get motivated by that kind of stuff,” Harper said. “What caught me off guard was that we’ve always talked about keeping things in-house. When that didn’t happen, it felt different.”
Now, concerns are mounting about what this friction could mean moving forward. Former NFL player Hugh Douglas, speaking on SportsRadio 94WIP, warned that Harper is unlikely to simply brush off the remarks. If trust between the superstar and the front office has been shaken, it could create complications the Phillies can’t afford.
To be fair, Harper’s 2025 campaign was below his usual superstar standards. In 132 games, he hit 27 home runs with 75 RBIs and posted a .261/.357/.487 slash line productive numbers, but not quite MVP-caliber by his lofty benchmarks. Still, he remains central to Philadelphia’s championship hopes.
The Phillies’ offseason approach did little to quiet doubts. They managed to retain key pieces in Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto, but lost starting pitcher Ranger Suárez to the Boston Red Sox. Beyond that, the additions were modest.
Right-hander Brad Keller signed a two-year, $22 million deal to strengthen the bullpen, while outfielder Adolis García joined on a one-year, $10 million contract. Solid moves, but not the type that drastically shift a division race.
Adding to the uncertainty, Jim Bowden of The Athletic projects Philadelphia to finish third in the NL East in 2026 a scenario that could leave them on the outside looking in come playoff time.
With expectations tempered and tension lingering between Harper and the front office, the Phillies enter 2026 facing more questions than answers. How Harper responds and how the organization manages the relationship could ultimately define the franchise’s immediate future.
