When the Phillies president, Dave Dombrowski, questioned whether Bryce Harper still belonged among MLB’s elite, it threw shockwaves through the team. The timing was just after the team’s playoff exit, and that enhanced the scrutiny. Bryce Harper is the face of the team and a high-paid star of the league, and he suddenly found his reputation being debated, and that too by his team’s management.

The president did not stop at the team’s end-of-season media interaction. Dombrowski said, “I guess we only find out if Harper becomes elite or if he continues to be good.” It was a statement that, while factual, came across as dismissive toward a star who has provided MVO season to MLB, postseason runs, and an elite enhancement to the Phillies’ popularity. The omission of the star’s wrist injury kept him out for multiple days, and it did not help the president’s situation with fans.

However, Bryce Harper’s agent, Scott Boras, was not about to enable that narrative to harm Harper’s reputation. Jack Fritz from Stories with Street Cred shared an interview given by Scott Boras where Boras defended Harper’s performance and said, “I agree that (Harper) missed time due to injury and that his volume was down, but other than that, Bryce Harper is performing at an elite level on a number of characteristics that we keep track of.”

He also pointed out some references and advanced metrics, which highlight that Harper has elite-level consistency like some other stars. “When you look into expected baseball stats, Harper is pretty much on par with his career averages. He’s surrounded by (Kyle) Tucker, (Fernando) Tatis (Jr.), (Bobby) Witt (Jr.), and (Rafael) Devers. His barrel rate, hard-hit rate, and exit velocity are all at the top of MLB. His barrel rate matches Vladdy (Guerrero) Jr. and Witt Jr., and his exit velocity equals Cal Raleigh’s and Julio Rodriguez’s.”

Scott Boras did not stop there, and later he dismissed the narrative that Harper‘s upcoming season with the Phillies will be uncertain. He pointed out the Phillies star’s commitment and the team’s faith in him. “I don’t think Dave (Dombrowski) or John (Middleton) or anybody is contemplating Bryce Harper not being a Philadelphia Phillie for the rest of his career,” Boras added. Scott Boras then reminded all that the star was one of ten qualified hitters in the league to post a .355 on-base percentage and .485 slugging percentage in 2025.

So, Scott Boras’ reaction was not just a defense. It was a lesson to the president in data-backer reassurance. By pointing out Harper’s advanced metrics and his loyalty to the team, he effectively turned the management’s criticism into a scope to reassert.

While Scott Boras tried to stop speculations related to Harper, the buzz around the Phillies has not faded. In fact, Boras’ defense of Harper looks to have only enhanced league-wide interest, and one specific team is circling like a hawk.

Bryce Harper draws Yankees interest

There are some reports that highlight that the Yankees are keeping their target fixed on the unfolding issue between Harper and the Phillies. As per Marca.com, “Amid rumors of major moves in the market, the New York Yankees have emerged as a possible destination for Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper”. The debate gained momentum after Dombrowski’s no longer elite statement related to Harper and that statement has blindsided insiders.

Former GM Ruben Amaro Jr provided more air to the fire when the former GM pointed out that the Phillies’ one big deal could be moved this offseason. This is a statement multiple insiders thought of as a not-so-subtle reference to Harper.

However, Pinstripes Nation’s Esteban Quinones thinks that the Yankees could be “desperate enough” to absorb the Phillies’ star’s hefty deal, with more than $150 million still owed, to pair Bryce Harper alongside Aaron Judge. “The Yankees are facing their own offensive crisis. Harper would instantly address multiple needs. His left-handed power swing is tailor-made for Yankee Stadium’s short right-field porch,” Quinones said.

However, we can not ignore the fact that the star’s 2025 season was vital, but it was not elite. The star’s .261 average, .844 OPS, and 27 home runs marked Harper’s lowest data in a decade. For Aaron Boone’s team, which is grappling with large payroll commitments, the concern becomes whether Harper’s performance this season fits their requirement.