Rumors have circulated that the Philadelphia Phillies could very well sign star free agent Bo Bichette. Following the Toronto Blue Jays' addition of infielder Kazuma Okamoto, it is looking less likely that Bichette re-signs there. Recently, a member of the national media has mentioned the trite topic of whether first baseman Bryce Harper will move back to the outfield if the Phillies add Bichette.
If Bichette signs with Philadelphia, that doesn't increase the likelihood that the club will ponder moving Harper back to the outfield. The topic continues to be discussed despite the organization not having an interest in the eight-time All-Star changing positions.
Notion of Bryce Harper moving back to the outfield makes no sense, even with the Phillies’ Bo Bichette rumors
MLB insider Jon Morosi brought up the possibility of the Phillies potentially moving Harper back to the outfield if they sign Bichette.
"If [the Phillies] have Trea Turner playing at [shortstop], potentially if you have Bichette moving around the infield to a different position, does that then mean that Harper moves to the outfield? That's a two-part decision: what does Bryce want to do and how do the Phillies view him?" Morosi said.
.@jonmorosi has more on the reported upcoming meeting between Bo Bichette and the Phillies, along with the potential domino effects it could cause on the roster. pic.twitter.com/xjxeE65YbF
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) January 9, 2026
If the team expressed an interest in moving Harper back to the outfield, the change would've happened already. He has played exclusively at first base since midway through the 2023 season. Morosi failed to take into account the Phillies' addition of Adolis García to play right field, Harper's former position. Hypothetically, if Philadelphia had an interest in moving Harper back to right field, where in the outfield would García and prospect Justin Crawford play? And who would play first base?
The Phillies' superstar has expressed a willingness to move back to right field, on multiple occasions, if that is what the team wanted. However, they haven't expressed an interest in making this change and are satisfied with Harper as their first baseman.
Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski set the record straight on how he views Harper moving forward in response to a question of him moving back to the outfield during his end-of-season press conference.
"Bryce is a first baseman … ," Dombrowski said. "He’s a really good first baseman and for us that’s the position we look at him playing for us.”
If the Phillies add Bichette, it doesn't mean Harper's spot at first base is in jeopardy. Bichette would likely play second base with Bryson Stott moving to third base if they trade Alec Bohm. The national and local media need to realize that the organization isn't interested in moving Harper back to the outfield.
Dombrowski will have plenty to do with the roster if Philadelphia adds Bichette, without being concerned about moving Harper from first base. Unless Dombrowski or manager Rob Thomson says otherwise, the potential addition of Bichette doesn't affect where the two-time NL MVP will play defensively for the Phillies in 2026.