PHILADELPHIA — Bryce Harper celebrated his 33rd birthday this Thursday, a celebration perhaps not echoed with unbridled enthusiasm within the Philadelphia Phillies’ management circles, especially considering he is now a father of four.
Following a season where Harper’s OPS stood at .844, marking his lowest since 2016, and his batting average dipped to .261, his poorest showing since 2019, the Phillies’ president of baseball operations, Dave Dombrowski, openly pondered whether Harper — a two-time recipient of the National League MVP award — could recapture his former glory as one of baseball’s premier talents. This reflection comes with six years remaining on Harper’s substantial 13-year contract valued at $330 million.
“He remains a high-caliber player, deserving of an All-Star spot,” Dombrowski commented on Thursday during an assessment of the season’s performance. “However, he didn’t deliver an exceptional season akin to his past achievements. The question remains whether he can elevate his game to become elite once more, or if he will continue performing at a good level.”
Merely “good”?
This label could be seen as diminishing for a player like Harper, who played a pivotal role in steering the Phillies away from mediocrity and back into the playoffs in 2022, a feat they hadn’t achieved in 11 years. While it’s true that Harper was sidelined for a month due to recovery from a wrist injury, the statistics pointed towards a decline in his overall performance.
During the NL Division Series against the Dodgers, Harper’s performance was limited to just 3 hits in 15 at-bats, with no RBIs across the four games of the series loss.
“Whether he can ascend to that higher echelon again is uncertain,” Dombrowski admitted. “Ultimately, he will determine that more than anyone else. I don’t believe he’s satisfied with the season he had. It wasn’t a terrible year, but when considering Bryce Harper, we envision an elite player, one of the top 10 in baseball, and his performance didn’t quite align with that expectation.”
Phillies’ manager Rob Thomson suggested that Harper, who demonstrated adaptability by transitioning from right field to first base and making an extraordinarily swift return to the majors post-Tommy John surgery, might not have reached the heights of success he’s typically achieved throughout his 14-year career.
However, this didn’t necessarily indicate that Harper’s peak years were behind him.
“I believe he’s strongly motivated to deliver the best season of his career next year,” Thomson stated.
Harper is set to return the following season, as the Phillies aim to resolve their postseason struggles that have persisted for four years. As Dombrowski contemplates significant roster decisions, especially regarding several key players entering free agency, he doesn’t feel compelled to drastically overhaul the team.
“Is extensive change needed? We secured 96 wins,” Dombrowski pointed out.
The Phillies’ recurring hitting struggles during October could potentially be mitigated if Harper can rediscover the powerful left-handed swing that previously established him as one of baseball’s most formidable hitters.
“I’d prefer to see him simply be himself, avoiding overexertion,” Thomson advised. “Concentrating on hitting the ball to the opposite field is key. When he maintains that approach, he’s an exceptional hitter. I suspect he sometimes falls into the mindset of trying to do too much, aware of his reputation as Bryce Harper.”
Dombrowski mentioned that the Phillies are likely to consider a one-year extension for Thomson beyond the 2026 season, as Thomson has one year remaining on his current contract.
The entire coaching staff, including hitting coach Kevin Long, whose performance has been questioned, will be retained. However, the Phillies are seeking a new bench coach. Mike Calitri will transition to a major league field coordinator role, and the Phillies are keen to recruit someone with managerial experience to succeed him.
The Phillies have consistently improved their win total over the past four years (87-90-95-96), but their postseason results have deteriorated, marked by a loss in the 2022 World Series, the 2023 NLCS, and consecutive series defeats in the NLDS.
Dombrowski stressed the importance of “maintaining perspective,” acknowledging that the Phillies were defeated by a Dodgers team that appears poised to win a second consecutive World Series title.
“I don’t believe in dismantling a team simply because they experience repeated playoff losses,” Dombrowski stated.
NL home run and RBI champion Kyle Schwarber, experienced catcher J.T. Realmuto, and dependable starting pitcher Ranger Suarez are all eligible for free agency. Outfielder Harrison Bader, who significantly enhanced his market value with an impressive two-month stint with the Phillies, has a mutual option that he is likely to decline.
“We would like to retain all of them,” Dombrowski said. “However, realistically, it’s improbable that we’ll be able to bring back all four.”
The Phillies have a $9 million club option or a $500,000 buyout for left-handed reliever Jose Alvarado, whose season was disrupted by an 80-game suspension for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drugs policy. Dombrowski indicated that the Phillies might decline the option but explore negotiating a new agreement with Alvarado.
“Without making any official announcements, I would be surprised if Alvarado doesn’t return to our team,” Dombrowski remarked.
Dombrowski anticipates Zack Wheeler could be ready to rejoin the major leagues after May, following surgery and complications stemming from a blood clot. Wheeler, the Phillies’ premier pitcher, is scheduled to commence his rehabilitation the following week. Wheeler, aged 35, achieved a 10-5 record with a 2.71 ERA and topped the majors with 195 strikeouts before being sidelined in August.
Regardless of the roster composition in 20206, the key question remains: how can the Phillies — supported by owner John Middleton’s significant $291.7 million payroll — overcome the recurring October trend of underperforming bats from their highest-paid players, which contributed to their defeat against the Dodgers?
“We maintain a substantial major league payroll, and I don’t foresee that changing,” Dombrowski assured. “John is highly supportive of that. We have a strong team with numerous talented players. However, our resources aren’t limitless. I’ve seen suggestions that improving the team requires signing numerous high-profile players. I don’t anticipate a $400 million payroll; I don’t believe that’s a realistic possibility.”
The Phillies must also address the situation with right fielder Nick Castellanos, who has one year remaining on his five-year, $100 million contract signed before the 2022 season. He appeared dissatisfied and cited personal issues with Thomson after losing his starting role late in the season.
Dombrowski mentioned his involvement in resolving the issue. However, there was no firm commitment to Castellanos’s return.
Outfielder Max Kepler will not be returning after hitting just .216 in his single season on a one-year, $10 million deal. Reliever David Robertson will also not be returning.
Meanwhile, the team remains supportive of Orion Kerkering, whose errant throw past home instead of to first base decided Game 4 and the series. The image of Thomson and numerous teammates consoling him in the dugout has been replayed as frequently in Philadelphia as Kerkering’s mistake.
“He will receive whatever assistance he requires, and we will provide it,” Dombrowski affirmed. “We’ll continue working with him to help him overcome this. I believe he’s capable, but I also acknowledge the challenge it presents, and we’ll maintain regular contact with him.”
Reliever Matt Strahm raised some concerns after the Phillies’ elimination due to Kerkering’s error, stating that routine pitchers’ fielding practice was lacking.
“The only explanation I can offer is that if you don’t practice it regularly, how can you expect to execute it consistently? As a veteran member of the bullpen, I suppose I should have taken the initiative to ensure we conducted our [pitchers’ fielding practice],” Strahm told The Athletic.
Dombrowski, however, disagreed with Strahm’s assessment.
“We did plenty. In fact, we did conduct PFPs during the postseason. [Strahm] didn’t participate, but we did them,” he clarified.
Information from the Associated Press was incorporated into this report.
