PHILADELPHIA — November 3, 2025
Philadelphia Phillies superstar Bryce Harper has broken his silence following a week of swirling trade rumors and eyebrow-raising comments from the team’s president of baseball operations, Dave Dombrowski.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Harper expressed frustration and disappointment over recent speculation suggesting his time in Philadelphia could be coming to an end.
“I was honestly hurt by it,” Harper said. “I’ve given everything to this city, this team, and the fans. To hear my name in trade talks after what we’ve built here — it’s tough. I love playing in Philadelphia, and I want to win here.”
The tension arose after Dombrowski’s end-of-season remarks, in which he praised Harper’s performance but stopped short of calling it “elite.”
“Bryce had a very good year,” Dombrowski said in an earlier interview. “I don’t think he had an elite year. We expect a lot from him because he’s capable of being one of the best players in the game. But to be clear, we have no intention of trading him.”
Harper, 33, hit .261 with 27 home runs and an .844 OPS in the 2025 season — productive numbers, though below his MVP-caliber standards. Now in his second full year as the Phillies’ first baseman, Harper has embraced the defensive transition but continues to face scrutiny over whether his best years are behind him.
Despite the noise, Harper made it clear that he’s focused on the future.
“I’m motivated. Every time people doubt me, I find another gear,” he said. “This offseason, it’s about getting stronger, getting better, and coming back ready to remind everyone who I am.”
Dombrowski has since clarified his comments, emphasizing that his statements were not meant as criticism.
“Bryce is the face of our franchise,” Dombrowski said. “He’s a tremendous player and competitor. Any talk of a trade is purely speculation — we’re building around him, not moving him.”
The Phillies finished the 2025 season with a strong push but fell short of a World Series berth, fueling offseason discussions about potential roster changes. While some analysts have suggested the club could explore major moves, Harper’s full no-trade clause and long-term contract make any trade unlikely in the near future.
As the offseason unfolds, one thing is clear: Bryce Harper’s passion for Philadelphia hasn’t faded — and neither has his drive to prove he still belongs among baseball’s elite.
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