Dombrowski Questions Harper's 'Elite' Status; Harper Reacts

The Phillies' 2025 season ended in disappointment and has prompted talk of a roster reset amid an aging core and several impending free agents. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski publicly questioned whether Bryce Harper can return to “elite” form, calling him a quality, All‑Star‑caliber player but saying he did not have an elite season. Reporter Jon Heyman said Harper was “pissed off,” and Harper said trade talk hurt him deeply and that he has given his all to Philadelphia. Dombrowski later pushed back on trade reports, calling Harper a cornerstone and saying he is not getting traded. Harper’s 2025 numbers (.261 average, .844 OPS, 27 HR, 75 RBI, 129 OPS+) and some advanced metrics indicate solid underlying performance. The Phillies must balance leadership, payroll and performance as they decide how much change to pursue, including potential contract decisions and roster moves.