Despite being one of the best teams in the regular season and topping the NL East, the Phillies were unceremoniously dumped out by the Dodgers in the NLDS. Now, as the fans are waiting to see how the team builds its roster for 2026, Dave Dabrowski’s comments on Bryce Harper have raised questions about the latter’s future in the ‘city of brotherly love.’

So, what exactly happened? Recently, Dombrowski said, “First of all, to me, Bryce Harper is one of the best players in the game of baseball… I don’t think he had an elite year… I’ve been reading that all the Phillies may trade Bryce Harper. That couldn’t be further from the truth. We love him”.

This statement was not taken lightly by Bryce Harper. He said to The Athletic, “I’ve given it my all to Philly from the start. Now there’s trade talk. I made every effort to avoid this. It’s all I heard in D.C. with the Nationals, and I hated it. It makes me feel uncomfortable.” The star’s statement made it clear that he felt blindsided and disrespected.

Now, analysts are also asking Dombrowski to correct his mistakes. Chris Rose and Trevor Plouffe on JM baseball analyzed the situation. Chris Rose said, “He obviously is upset about this, and he’s upset about what the lead executive of the Phillies said about him.”

The situation led to the question of accountability. Trevor Plouffe said, “Dombrowski shouldn’t have said that. Like, even if you’re one of those people, like, ‘Hey, he’s just trying to get the best version of Bryce Harper.’ Like, well, you know, talk to him. If you want to tell him that, tell him yourself. Don’t go on some freaking show.” For the analyst, the issue was not what was said, but where it was said. 

Plouffe also added,  “If there’s a guy that doesn’t need to be motivated, it’s Bryce Harper.” The analyst highlighted that the star “had the chance to go anywhere when he was a free agent.” However, Harper chose the Phillies because he “wants to grow roots here”. 

If we talk numbers, Harper’s .274 career average, 17 home runs, and .986 OPS still position the star among MLB’s elite hitters. The veteran is under deal through 2031 with a no-trade clause, and as Chris Rose summed up, “He is all in on Philadelphia”.

Meanwhile, another vital storyline is shaking the team’s offseason situation, one that could also have an impact on Bryce Harper’s position on the team.

Kyle Schwarber’s $99 Million projection sparks heated debate over Phillies’ plans

Kyle Schwarber’s name has appeared as the latest flashpoint in Philadelphia’s offseason narrative. After an MVP-caliber campaign, Spotrac estimates him to earn a four-year, $99.6 million contract, a number that underlines just how treasured his power bat remains. Yet, the concern is not whether the star deserves the money but whether the team can afford him. With Dombrowski under scrutiny after Bryce Harper’s statement, another vital decision involving Schwarber could define the Phillies’ credibility.

However, Harper clearly highlighted the power of Kyle Schwarber and how much Harper respects him. In MLB.com, Harper said, “It would be weird not to have him in our clubhouse. He’s such a good leader… obviously, he’s going to make a lot of money. He’s going to be a very hot commodity.” The veteran’s statement points out more than friendship. It points out Schwarber’s effect as the team’s emotional anchor. Losing the veteran will fracture the team’s commitment to its champions.

Still, not all are convinced that re-signing Kyle Schwarber will be an elite move. Matt Grazel from the TBOH said that “the Phillies should not re-sign Schwarber to a multi-year contract”. Grazel tried to say that Schwarber is elite; however, he is in his mid-30s. And it will be risky to pay a large amount to him whose production could decline in the mid-30s. Grazel thinks that decisions like this couple be  “the best chance for Dombrowski to shake up the roster”, no matter how unpopular it looks.

The Phillies are now at a crossroads. They need to decide whether they resign their proven star and risk alienating him by choosing payroll flexibility. With Harper’s statement still hampering the management and Schwarber’s free agency dancing on the edge, Dombrowski’s upcoming decision will shake how the team will look.