Just when the Bryce Harper-Dave Dombrowski beef seemed to be squashed, tension once again reared its ugly head.
Dombrowski’s viral “not elite” comments about Harper at last year's end-of-season press conference sparked a feud that had seemed to simmer after Harper publicly implied during spring training that things were all good between him and the Director of Baseball Operations. Turns out that wasn’t true. Per Matt Gelb of The Athletic, Harper and Dombrowski actually had never repaired their relationship, keeping the hard feelings intact behind closed doors.
That article was published following Tuesday’s 1-0 loss to the Marlins when Harper called out Dombrowski to make a move at the upcoming trade deadline, directly stating that the Phillies need help. The jab got skipper Don Mattingly involved, as he defended Dombrowski and dissuaded Harper from trying to act like the GM.
On the heels of an embarrassing sweep to the Marlins to start the week, the Phillies now find themselves with a 3-9 record following the All-Star break, dropping their record to 57-52. This latest scuffle between Harper and Dombrowski could not have come at a worse time.
Unfortunately for Phillies fans, the uneasy vibes between the team’s star player and their general manager will be here to stay a little longer.
Is there an ending to the Phillies' Bryce Harper-Dave Dombrowski war in sight?
The answer to that question is no.
Dombrowski is signed through 2027, and his contract is reportedly expected to be extended. Now, whether or not Dombrowski has fulfilled his duties as general manager to the best of his abilities is a different story. The 70-year-old staying in the front office longer, mixed with Harper smack dab in the middle of his 13-year deal, is a combination that could end in a disaster. But if Harper thought he had an easy out at the end of Dombrowski's current deal ... no dice.
The jig is up. The cards are on the table, and everyone now knows both parties really don’t like each other. Has it gotten to the point where owner John Middleton has to pick a side? That remains unclear. But the fans will always stick with their guys, especially considering the frustration with Dombrowski’s lackadaisical attitude surrounding the ball club.
As we await the next saga in this 10-month conflict, the only thing we can do is hope it doesn’t get uglier than it has. But with how this team has looked as of late, who knows?
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