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By Jon Vankin
Contributing Sports Writer
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Philadelphia Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said on Thursday that superstar Bryce Harper was no longer an "elite" player, and that it was uncertain whether the 33-year-old could ever rise to that level again. But Dombrowki's surprising public characterization may have had an even more significant meaning, because it came a day after a former Phillies general manager added that the team may be looking to trade Harper, its highest-paid player.
To be clear, Ruben Amaro Jr., the Phillies GM form 2008 to 2016, did not name Harper specifically during his appearance on WIP-FM radio, but there was little ambiguity as to who he was referring to when he said, “You may see one of the big contracts moved. I’m not saying who. And I know there are a lot of no-trade clauses. But you may see one of those big contracts get moved somehow, someway.”
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With six years remaining on his 13-season, $330 million contract, Harper is obviously "one of the big contracts." The other would be Trea Turner, with eight years to go on his $300 million, 11-year deal.
But who are the teams willing to take on a contract the size of Harper's, for a player who may no longer be "elite?"
Dombrowski's description was not inaccurate. A two-time National League MVP and 2012 NL Rookie of the Year, Harper this year registered his lowest OPS since 2014 — a year that he struggled with a serious thumb injury — with an .844 figure.
As recently as 2021, his second MVP season, Harper posted an MLB-leading 1.044 OPS, and he hit the .900 mark just two years ago.
According to Yankees writer Esteban Quiñones of Pinstripes Nation, the team he covers may be just "desperate" enough to make a deal for Harper and the remaining cash on his contract, which comes to more than $150 million.
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"The Yankees are facing their own offensive crisis," Quiñones wrote on Friday. "Their latest postseason ended with a thud after being eliminated by the Blue Jays in the Division Series. The team’s lack of consistent hitting once again stood out as the biggest weakness."
"Harper would instantly address multiple needs. His left-handed power swing is tailor-made for Yankee Stadium’s short right-field porch. His ability to work counts and hit for both average and power would provide balance to a lineup dominated by right-handed bats."
Harper would also provide much-needed protection for Aaron Judge in the Yankees batting order.
But obtaining Harper will not be a simple matter, even for the Yankees. The Las Vegas native — one of the most hyped prospects of the past two decades when he was drafted No. 1 overall in 2010 by the Washington Nationals — would need to approve any trade.
And, Quiñones point out, not even the Yankees -- who have maintained at least a top-five opening day MLB payroll in 27 of the last 28 years (the exception being 2018 when they were seventh) -- have unlimited financial resources. They would need to figure out a way to add Harper's contract to at least three other $150 million minimum commitments.
Those belong to Judge, and starting pitchers Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon.
Though he has already put together a career arguably worthy of a first-ballot Hall of Famer, a World Series championship has always eluded Harper.
The Nationals won the World Series in 2019, the same year Harper departed as a free agent to sign with the Phillies. The Yankees, though they have not actually won the Series since 2009 (hence Quiñones' characterization of the franchise as "desperate"), have the history and annual spending commitment that may offer Harper his best chance to compete for a title in each of the remaining six years of his contract.
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