One of the biggest post-season rumors that came from the General Manager Meetings this week was that Dave Dombrowski and the Philadelphia Phillies were listening to trade offers for Trea Turner and Brandon Marsh. Whether they actually receive calls on either player is another matter—Turner's disappointing 2026 season and onerous contract make it particularly unlikely that he'll be moved—but it's clear that the organization is ready to shake things up after failing to reach the NLDS for the first time since 2021.
Naturally, that led some to speculate that Bryce Harper could also be on the trade block; insider Ken Rosenthal stoked those flames, suggesting that the two-time MVP would be willing to waive his no-trade clause if another team is willing to extend his current contract. That's not particularly likely since Harper's current deal runs through 2031 (when he'll be 39 years old), but the idea at least keeps the door open for a potential blockbuster.
However, Bob Nightengale of USA Today has come to quash those rumors, definitively saying that "Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper are staying put."
Bryce Harper remains too important to Phillies to warrant trade conversations
Again, it was never all that likely that Harper would get moved, though it's nice to have a little bit of reassurance in an otherwise open-ended offseason. Like Turner, the first baseman's contract is hefty for an aging star, as he's owed roughly $125 million over the next five seasons. Plus, he has a full no-trade clause, and he may have just purchased a new house.
However, unlike his teammate, Harper hasn't shown too many signs of decline just yet. Yes, his defense remains atrocious, and he's no longer a genuine MVP candidate, but Harper just posted his seventh consecutive campaign with a 130 wRC+ or better, finishing first on the Phillies in that category (135). He also ranked second on the team in home runs (29), third in RBIs (87), and fifth in fWAR (3.3).
After all the talk about whether he's still an "elite" player—a conversation Dombrowski himself ignited
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Harper continues to prove that he's still one of the best pure hitters in the sport. Maybe he can't carry an offense in the same way he could during his prime, but there's no doubt that he makes a top-heavy Phillies lineup better when he plays.
There are still many, many moving parts for Dombrowski and the front office to sort out over the coming weeks, but at this point, it's a safe bet to assume that Harper won't be going anywhere.
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