4 Phillies players the team should sign to contract extensions before Bryce Harper
Bryce Harper still wants a contract extension, but some other Phillies should get new deals first.
In the aftermath of the Philadelphia Phillies extending ace pitcher Zack Wheeler to a three-year, $126 million deal, the team has set its rotation up to have two No. 1 caliber starters anchoring it well into the 2027 season. And while the Phillies may not be done adding to their rotation just yet, fans can all let out a collective sigh of relief that the Phillies' competitive window may have just been extended a few more seasons.
Now, the question on everyone's minds is how the Phillies should approach the idea of extending Bryce Harper. It's no secret that Harper wants to stick around; he has practically been on a one-man PR tour on extension talks since the conclusion of the 2023 post-season. As fans, we're back to the question that tugs on all of our heartstrings: Is extending Bryce Harper the right thing to do?
It's not the right thing to do. When Harper's contract expires at the end of the 2031 season, the two-time National League MVP will be 38 years old. Productive position players that old rarely exist in the modern game. Miguel Cabrera anyone? Thanks for your service, Bryce.
In addition to Harper, Trea Turner is signed through 2033, when he will be 41 years old. Sure, that seems like a future concern, but how likely is it that the Phillies will have two players in their 40s still playing at such a high level that they both will be deserving of a roster spot? Not likely. That's the main reason why the Phillies would be making a big mistake by extending Harper.
Plus, the Phillies have other players who will need to be considered for an extension very soon. Let's take a look at four players on the roster who the team should consider signing to a contract extension before Bryce Harper.
The Phillies should extend Alec Bohm before Bryce Harper
Alec Bohm is coming off a breakout 2023 season that saw him hit .274 with 20 home runs, 97 RBI, and 153 hits in 558 at-bats. The 2018 Phillies first-round draft pick put it all together last season, and while Bohm and the team recently disagreed on salary arbitration numbers (Bohm won and was awarded a $4 million salary), the team and player could very well work out a deal to keep him in Philadelphia and buy out a few pre-free agency years.
Bohm has mostly played third base since he arrived in the major leagues in 2020. Over the last couple of seasons, Bohm has also seen significant time at first base and has the type of bat that profiles at a corner infield position. With Bryce Harper slotted in to play first base now and for the foreseeable future, most of Bohm's focus will be on playing third base every day going forward.
With Bohm turning 28 years old in August, he would seem like the next logical player for the Phillies to extend. But 2023 first-round pick Aidan Miller is also a third baseman. The No. 3 ranked prospect doesn't appear long for the minors if his prodigious power continues to carry him through the system. It's likely the Phillies will take a wait-and-see approach with Bohm as they watch how Miller develops.
Extending Bohm makes sense, but it looks increasingly unlikley.
The Phillies should extend José Alvarado before Bryce Harper
José Alvarado is one of the top left-handed relief pitchers in baseball. The nasty lefty has arguably become the glue that makes the entire Phillies bullpen stick since he arrived via a three-team trade in December 2020. A minor deal at the time, the addition of Alvarado has to be viewed as a steal by the Phillies front office as his power arm has translated into getting big outs for Phillies teams that have appeared in the postseason the last two years.
Alvarado lights up radar guns with a sinker that regularly touches 100 mph and a cutter that takes a little off but still reaches 93 mph. This balanced attack has produced an 11-5 record with a 3.16 ERA, 17 saves, and 213 strikeouts in 148 innings in 165 games during his three-year career in Philadelphia. The go-to guy in manager Rob Thomson's bullpen, Alvarado is frequently tasked with getting big outs in close ball games.
Alvarado has two years and a club option for 2026 remaining on his current contract. On a Phillies team that enters 2024 without a named closer, Alvarado will likely be part of a group of relief pitchers asked to close out games this season. While the club option exists for 2026, it wouldn't be the worst thing to try to extend Alvarado for a few more seasons if he can continue his current trend of dominance out of the Phillies bullpen.
The Phillies should extend Bryson Stott before Bryce Harper
Like Alec Bohm, Bryson Stott is another young player who should be considered for a contract extension in the not-so-distant future. Two years into his MLB career, it's already obvious that Stott is the best second baseman the Phillies have had since Chase Utley patrolled the infield dirt. Can Stott get even better? Tune in for year three.
Last season saw Stott improve in every statistical category over his first full year in the big leagues. Stott hit .280 with 15 home runs, 62 RBI, 164 hits, and 31 stolen bases in 585 at-bats. Stott's emergence as a more complete hitter has caused some Phillies fans to ponder whether he might be the long-term answer as a lead-off hitter in 2024 and beyond. Last season was eye-opening. What should we expect this year?
It's hard not to expect more of the same from the 26-year-old. His ability to steal bases was on full display last season, and maybe that part of his game was unexpected, but Stott more than adapted to new rules like the pitch clock and the limited times a pitcher can attempt a pick-off. If the Phillies try new things with the line-up in 2024, expect Stott to get a look in the lead-off spot.
Stott is exactly the type of young position player the Phillies should build around. With J.T. Realmuto and Kyle Schwarber set to become free agents after the 2025 season and Castellanos after 2026, Stott could help anchor a new veteran core along with Bryce Harper and Trea Turner when roster turnover becomes a reality.
Arbitration-eligible for the first time in 2025, Stott has the advantage of not having any real competition forcing a future roster crunch at second base currently in the Phillies system. It's a good bet the Phillies will try to make this happen in the not-so-distant future.
The Phillies should extend J.T. Realmuto before Bryce Harper
J.T. Realmuto is one of the best all-around catchers in baseball. One of the elite game callers on the diamond, Realmuto's athleticism makes him one of the rare backstops who combines Gold Glove-caliber defense behind the plate, the bat of a Silver Slugger, and the type of legs that allow him to be a threat on the base paths.
Realmuto continues to be one of the core leaders on a Phillies team with playoff ambitions. His leadership and consistency have been one of the main factors in the team's run over the last few seasons. Even coming off what many view as a down 2023, Realmuto still hit .252 with 20 home runs, 63 RBI, and 16 stolen bases in 135 games.
Last season saw Realmuto regress a bit behind the plate when it came to handling the running game. The pitch clock and larger bases gave baserunners a clear incentive to test Realmuto's elite pop time and rocket arm, and that will be something to follow during the 2024 season.
A free agent after next season, the Phillies should consider extending Realmuto before his contract expires. There's little to show that the 32-year-old won't be in stellar shape and perform at an above-average level. Unlike Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos, his skill set is not easy to replace at the catcher position.
If the Phillies want to keep their competitive window open, players like J.T. Realmuto will be vital to have on the roster. Sure, Bryce Harper is one of the greatest players in the game right now. But the Phillies need to think about the near future, and signing a few of these players will be necessary to keep the Phillies competitive for years to come.
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