Overview
- Dave Dombrowski said he does not know if Bryce Harper can be “elite” again, calling him an All-Star–caliber player after a season he felt was short of top-10 status.
- Harper, now 33, posted a .261/.357/.487 line with 27 home runs and an .844 OPS, missed about a month with a wrist injury, and went 3-for-15 in the NLDS.
- Philadelphia will add a year to Rob Thomson’s contract beyond 2026 and retain the coaching staff, with a new bench coach to be hired.
- Offseason priorities include attempts to re-sign Kyle Schwarber, J.T. Realmuto, Ranger Suárez and Harrison Bader, with José Alvarado’s $9 million club option expected to be exercised and Nick Castellanos’ status left open.
- Dombrowski said ownership backs a high payroll but ruled out a $400 million budget, as backlash to his Harper remarks and outside trade speculation surfaced without any sign the team intends to move its star under a long-term deal.