The Philadelphia Phillies are dealing with the aftermath of another disappointing playoff exit, and a surprising remark about their star player has intensified the scrutiny.
In his end-of-season press conference, Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski offered frank comments about Bryce Harper’s trajectory. While he praised Harper’s strong season, Dombrowski indicated that the slugger may no longer be among the game’s “elite” players.
He stressed that it’s up to Harper to regain his top-tier status—a challenge that, according to Dombrowski, is anything but certain.
From a seasoned executive like Dombrowski, such comments may be a subtle yet pointed message aimed at the team’s franchise cornerstone.
“Dombrowski’s been around way too long to have said that without having some meaning behind it,” insider Joel Sherman said during an appearance on the “Pinstripe Post” podcast after the press conference.
“I continue to wonder if the meaning is the player is unhappy with his contract and this was a kind of side glance back at, you know, ‘I can take some shots here too.’”
Harper has been vocal about wanting an extension with the Phillies, despite being in the eighth year of his 13-year, $330 million contract. In light of Dombrowski’s remarks and his apparent belief that Harper is dissatisfied with his current deal, Sherman floated the idea of a blockbuster trade that could see Harper leave Philadelphia this offseason.
With that blunt, one-word reply to his own question, Sherman opened the door to a surprising possibility.
Following another postseason disappointment—and in light of sharp comments from the team’s top executive—the Phillies could be quietly gauging trade interest in the player long viewed as the face of their franchise.
Would Philadelphia really consider moving Harper? It’s uncertain, but at this point, the idea can’t be completely ruled out.
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