Did you ever say something and either it comes out wrong or it’s misinterpreted and a friend or family member feels slighted; maybe even disrespected. Yeah, me too. And Dave Dombrowski has, too. It came during his end of season eulogy on the Phillies, a team that just can’t get over that hump once they reach the postseason. Actually, in that press conference, Dombrowski said a few things that ruffled feathers or just sounded strange.
At the top of the list was when he said Bryce Harper was “not elite.” But wait, that’s not exactly what he said. Here is the full quote: “In Bryce’s case, of course he’s still a quality player, he’s still an All-Star-caliber player. He didn’t have an elite season like he has had in the past. And I guess we only find out if he becomes elite or he continues to be good.”
“He didn’t have an elite season…” That was the quote. “I guess we only find out if he becomes elite or he continues to be good.” Here is where Dombrowski really misspoke. He should have said something to the effect of ‘find out if he RETURNS to being an elite player…’ Dombrowski’s quote makes it sound like Harper was never an elite player and that’s a stupid thing to say. Dombrowski admitted as much in his apology to Harper and in addressing the comments after the press conference.
Did Bryce Harper have an elite season? No. In 2025, Harper’s line looked like this: 27-75-.261/.357/.487/.844 in 132 games. His .261 average was his lowest since 2019, his first season in Philadelphia. The .487 slugging percentage was his lowest since 2016 with Washington, and his .357 OBP was his lowest since 2014.
Harper took great exception to the comment and admitted he was “pissed off.” It was then that Dombrowski apologized, but the idea of Harper being traded took off in a big way. Powered by some in the media and a whole bunch of social media chatter, all of a sudden, Harper was damaged goods and the Phillies were trying to trade him.
So why am I bringing this up two months after it happened? Because Harper isn’t letting the controversy die. He took to hitting in a cage wearing a shirt that says “Not Elite.” The session was videotaped and posted on TikTok, which did nobody any good.
I am one who has become increasingly concerned about Harper and his contract. My fear is that by the time we are in the final years of the deal – which Harper wants extended – I am afraid Harper won’t be an elite player and that the final years will make Ryan Howard‘s huge contract look mild. Howard’s deal became a huge albatross carrying an anchor for the Phillies after he went down with the Achilles injury in the 2011 NLDS.
Injuries have been a big part of Harper’s history. The 33-year-old has been on the IL in each of the past four seasons and has missed considerable time. It was a fractured left thumb that put him on the 60-day IL in 2022 and the next season, he started the season on the IL recovering from elbow surgery. In 2024, it was a left hamstring strain and he went on the 10-day IL. Last season, Harper missed a handful of games after being hit by a pitch on the elbow and shortly after returning to the lineup he went back on the IL with right wrist inflammation and missed 22 games. The trips to the IL have cost Harper approximately 90 games over that four-year span, but he has also missed time with the usual array of nagging injuries while with the Phillies.
Harper seems like the type to be motivated by all of the controversy, which is great. But for him to jab a stick at Dombrowski isn’t necessary. Hopefully, on the day that Harper comes to camp for spring training, the first order of business will be for Dombrowski and Harper to go somewhere and get this over with. Yell at each other if you must, but get it out, shake hands and agree that the issue is now dead and everybody moves on. Maybe hold a joint meeting with the media, tell everyone about the meeting and that it’s over. Get your questions out now, because this is the last time either will even hint about the episode.
Unless the issue blows up into a major issue, this is the last that I am revisiting it. Harper has been and very well will be again, an elite player. Now, let’s get back to complaining about other more relevant and timely things.
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