For the second straight year, the Philadelphia Phillies secured a first-round bye heading into the MLB playoffs, and for the second straight year, they were eliminated from the NLDS in four games.

Not even winning a postseason for back-to-back campaigns is unacceptable when you have a massive payroll like Philadelphia's, and apparently, president Dave Dombrowski is getting frustrated, which is why he decided to throw a jab at Bryce Harper for not being "elite" anymore.

Harper didn't take kindly to those comments, which should not come as a surprise to anyone. Not only that, but the two-time NL MVP also has to deal with trade speculation, and he told Matt Gelb of The Athletic that he is absolutely bothered by all of the noise.

“I have given my all to Philly from the start,” Harper said. “Now there is trade talk? I made every effort to avoid this. It’s all I heard in D.C. (with the Nationals). I hated it. It makes me feel uncomfortable.”

Harper signed a 13-year, $330 million contract with the Phillies back in February 2019. He has six years left on his deal, but it's looking more and more likely that he won't finish it in Philadelphia.

The Phillies have some pressing decisions to make this offseason. They must decide whether or not they re-sign Kyle Schwarber. Ranger Suarez and J.T. Realmuto are also headed toward free agency. And now, a Harper trade is a possibility.

Dombrowski has said that the 33-year-old isn't getting dealt, but if a team comes along and presents Philadelphia with an enticing offer, you have to think that the Phillies will listen.

Because clearly, right now, what the Phils are doing has not been working. For all of the talk about the New York Yankees failing over in the American League, Philadelphia hasn't been much better.

The Phillies made the World Series back in 2021 in sort of a Cinderella run. They didn't even win 90 games that year. But that marks their only trip to the fall classic the last 15 years. When they landed Harper seven years ago, it was supposed to significantly change things. But realistically speaking, Philadelphia has done nothing but go backward the last few seasons.

“It’s disappointing to hear me being questioned about my contribution to the team. Just really hurt by that notion because I love Philly so much," Harper added.

The Phillies' problems are not because of Harper, but it stands to reason that Philadelphia might need to start rebuilding, and trading the eight-time All-Star would be part of that.

Not only that, but the relationship between Harper and the front office may have been fractured. Will it affect his performance on the field? Maybe not, but you do have to wonder just how much juice these Harper-led Phillies will have left in the tank going into 2026.

Philadelphia has reached a critical juncture here, and the best route to take may be the most painful in the short term.