Phillies Executive Firmly Shuts Down Bryce Harper Trade Rumors
Philadelphia Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski has made it clear — Bryce Harper is not being traded.
After another disappointing playoff exit, the Phillies are expected to make significant offseason changes. With one of the oldest rosters in MLB and several key players entering free agency, the team is headed for a roster shake-up. Still, despite speculation, Harper’s future in Philadelphia isn’t in question.
Rumors began swirling earlier this week following Dombrowski’s end-of-season press conference, where he acknowledged that Harper didn’t have one of his best seasons and might not return to his absolute peak form. Some fans and media interpreted the remarks as a sign the Phillies might explore trading their franchise cornerstone.
However, Dombrowski quickly dismissed that notion during an appearance on Foul Territory Thursday.
“I’ve been reading that the Phillies may trade Bryce Harper, and that couldn’t be further from the truth,” Dombrowski said. “We love him, we think he’s a great player, and he’s an extremely important part of our team. I’ve seen him have better years than this one, and I expect he’ll have better years ahead.”
His comments leave little doubt that Harper remains central to the Phillies’ long-term plans.
Confidence in Harper’s Rebound
While 2025 wasn’t Harper’s best statistical season, he still produced solid numbers despite dealing with injuries. The 33-year-old slugger hit .261/.357/.487 with 27 home runs and 75 RBIs across 132 games, finishing with a 3.2 bWAR.
Those marks were a step back from his 2024 campaign, when he posted a 4.8 bWAR and was a major postseason force. Last year, Harper boasted a 1.279 OPS in the playoffs; this season, that number dropped to .600 as he collected just three hits in four games.
Even so, Dombrowski and the Phillies’ front office believe Harper can return to elite form — and they remain committed to him as a cornerstone piece of the franchise.
Under contract through 2031, Harper is expected to continue anchoring the Phillies’ lineup as they look to regroup and make another postseason push next year.
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