PHILADELPHIA — The MLB spotlight seems to shine brighter every time Bryce Harper steps up to the plate. But today, that spotlight is hiding a dark side: At 33 years old, a two-time MVP and under a six-year, $150 million-plus contract with the Phillies, he surprisingly admitted he was “deeply hurt” by comments from Dave Dombrowski, the Phillies’ president of baseball.
“I’ve been dedicated to Philly since day one,” Harper told The Athletic, choking up. “And now there’s talk of a trade? It makes me feel… uncomfortable.”
After the Phillies were eliminated from the postseason, Dombrowski said:
“Harper is still a quality player, still an All-Star. But if you ask me if he’s going to be back to his old level… I’m not sure.”
That seemingly casual comment opened a flood of trade rumors and left Harper – who signed a big contract and made a significant position change this season – feeling like he was under a microscope, and more than anything, doubted.
Harper finished the 2025 season with a .261 AVG and .844 OPS – his “lowest” numbers in years.
In addition, he missed about 30 games with a wrist injury – a detail Dombrowski did not mention in his comments.
Harper shared: “I had a sore wrist, I missed a game and came back early. And I was still questioned about my contribution.”
The bigger pain: For most of the season, he didn’t get a direct word from the team’s head honcho — someone he trusted — after the season ended.
Although Dombrowski later said, “Harper wasn’t traded, he was a cornerstone of the team,” the emotional damage was still there.
And with the trade season looming, the Phillies have some tough decisions to make: four free agent spots, a roster waiting but not having success outside of the regular season, and a superstar who feels doubted ― a potential recipe for major upheaval.
Harper once asserted:
“I want the fans to know that Philly is my home. I’ve committed from the beginning to be here for the rest of my career.”
And now, with gossip, doubt and rumors swirling around, the story becomes more touching than ever: a superstar, still in the prime of his career, is wondering whether his loyalty, fighting spirit and love for the team are misplaced.
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