One of the biggest sagas coming into 2025 was the impending free agency of Toronto Blue Jays' first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. He was set to become available to all 30 MLB teams after the 2025 season, with doubt of the Blue Jays's ability to retain him creeping in. The Phillies could have been a top suitor for the 26-year-old slugger to maximize their World Series window further.
That all changed, as well as the baseball landscape, on Monday morning. Negotiations were ongoing between the Blue Jays and Guerrero into the regular season. It finally came to a head when it was announced that both parties had agreed to a massive 14-year, $500 million contract extension, the third-largest deal in MLB history, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.
The deal also put an end to any hopes of the Philadelphia Phillies potentially bringing in the star.
Even though Bryce Harper is willing to move back to the outfield, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s deal just lessened the chances of that happening
This past offseason, Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper stated that he would be willing to move back to the outfield of the club were to sign another star first baseman. To Harper, first base has been great, but the opportunity to increase the team's postseason equity speaks louder (subscription required), per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
“I talked to (the Phillies) this offseason about that, just in case a guy was available (at first) that we needed to have, needed to get,” Harper said. “I’d be more than open to it if we had a guy like that, who was going to change our lineup or change the demeanor of our team. They like me at first base. But I’d go out there to have a guy who was going to play first base and hit 35 or 40 homers."
Now, with Guerrero off the market, the chances are even slimmer for another star to be brought into Philadelphia. While there wasn't a guarantee that Guerrero would even be on the Phillies' radar, the chances are even lower that there's anyone on the upcoming free agent market worth signing that would force Harper to move back to the outfield.
Between the Washington Nationals and Phillies, Harper spent a decade playing in the outfield. His elbow injury and subsequent Tommy John surgery in 2022 necessitated a shift to first base. The Phillies's outfield hasn't been the same since he vacated his original position.
Of the few things the Phillies lack on their roster, the outfield is the outlier. The most consistency they get is from Nick Castellanos, and that's given his durability in 2024. The outfield pop has been lacking since Harper moved to the infield, but that door is still open for him to return.
Guerrero would have been a great first choice, but now it's time to go back to the drawing board and see what the front office can put together to continue to build this team for the long term.