Phillies' Latest Rumor is Bad News for Bryce Harper

The Philadelphia Phillies were bounced unceremoniously from the MLB playoffs yet again, and it could mean sweeping changes are coming this winter.

But just how nuclear will the Phillies go?

Well, Bob Nightengale of USA Today elaborated during a recent appearance on 97.5 The Fanatic and said that Philadelphia will shop players ... and Bryce Harper was included.

The interesting part, though, came when Nightengale said that the Phillies probably wouldn't float Kyle Schwarber in trade talks because of what he means to the clubhouse.

Hmm.

So does that mean Philadelphia might actually want Harper out? And is Harper not particularly admired in the clubhouse?

To be quite frank, this seems more like a battle between Harper and the front office rather than Harper and his teammates.

Remember: last offseason, team president Dave Dombrowski said that Harper was no longer elite. Harper did not take kindly to it and made his displeasure clear.

The two-time MVP then blatantly called out the organization before the MLB trade deadline ... multiple times.

Perhaps the Phillies no longer want that type of tension. Or maybe they just want to keep one of Harper or Schwarber and value the latter's power more.

Of course, none of this might matter anyway.

Philadelphia gave Harper a full no-trade clause when it signed him to his 13-year, $330 million contract back in March 2019. Schwarber, meanwhile, can exercise his 10-and-5 rights and veto any trade.

So there seems to be a sizeable chance that both sluggers are on the roster come opening day next season.

But there's no question that Harper's future in Philly remains in doubt.

Harper has been, for the most part, terrific. He owns a .279/.385/.520 slash line with the Phillies, and he led them to a World Series appearance in 2022.

In terms of overall team success, however, the Harper era has been a disappointment, especially over the past three seasons.

Obviously, that is hardly Harper's fault. He has generally done his part. But with the nine-time All-Star turning 34 years old later this month, perhaps a split would be best for both sides. If the Phillies can actually find a taker for his contract, which runs through 2031.

Regardless, the fact that Philadelphia seems to prefer Schwarber (who had a very rough second half in 2026) to Harper does speak volumes about the relationship between Harper and the organization.

We'll see if the Phillies do decide to shop the former No. 1 overall pick in the coming months.