Bryce Harper Sounds Off On Phillies Organization In Infuriated Rant, Potential Red Sox Fit?
All-Star first baseman Bryce Harper has been the face of the Philadelphia Phillies organization since signing with the team in 2019. At the time, it was the largest free-agent signing in North American history. However, rumors of trouble in paradise were confirmed on Sunday afternoon when Harper stood in front of a school of reporters and sounded off on the Phillies’ president, Dave Dombrowski.
“I don’t get motivated by that kind of stuff,” Harper said. “For me, it was wild — the whole situation happening. The big thing for me was, when we first met with this organization, it was, ‘Hey, we’re always going to keep things in-house, and we expect you to do the same thing.’ So, when that didn’t happen, it kind of took me for a run a little bit.”
Harper is referring to tasteless comments Dombrowski made following the 2025 season, when he questioned whether or not the face of his team could return to MVP status after a down year.
“It’s kind of a wild situation — that even happening. Obviously, I didn’t have the year that I wanted. Obviously, I didn’t have the postseason that I wanted,” Harper said. “I know that, and I don’t need to be motivated to be great…
“For Dave to come out and say those things, it’s kind of wild to me still.”
This has left every team wondering if they have a shot at making a trade for one of the league’s biggest stars.
For the Boston Red Sox, it’s impossible to say they shouldn’t pick up the phone.
Harper’s contract, all things considered, is incredibly team-friendly. He signed a 13-year, $330 million contract in 2019, with an average annual salary of about $26 million every season until it expires in 2031, making him just the 40th highest-paid player in the league.
The Red Sox feel very good about their newest first baseman, Wilson Contreras, but the lineup’s biggest weakness is expected to be slugging.
Adding a career .519 slugger would be just what the doctor ordered for Boston.