Philadelphia Phillies superstar and two-time MVP Bryce Harper has faced intense criticism in recent months.
From president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski labeling him “not elite” to his slow start in the 2026 season, it’s been a challenging stretch for the veteran slugger.
Now, agent Scott Boras is pushing for an extension that would keep Harper in Philadelphia beyond his current deal, per Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
“In my conversations with owner John Middleton and Dave Dombrowski, they understand Bryce wants to build a long-term legacy in Philadelphia that goes past his existing contract,” Boras said. “We’ve already begun talking about that.”
What Does This Mean for Harper?
Harper is in year eight of his 13-year, $330 million contract, which runs through the 2031 season.
By the time it expires, he’ll be 38 years old — an age where most players have already retired, especially those who debuted at 19. Still, Harper appears determined to continue playing well past the end of his current deal.
This year, he’s off to a rough start: a .200 average through 40 at-bats with two homers and a .698 OPS as of April 6. At the moment, Dombrowski’s “not elite” remarks don’t look far off.
That follows what was considered a “down year” in 2025, when Harper hit 27 homers with a .261 average and an .844 OPS. Even so, Boras insists Harper will show he deserves an extension in 2026.
“He’s convinced he’s in the best shape of his career,” Boras said. “He’s a true two-way player, one of the league’s top talents, and there’s nothing in the metrics that suggests he’s not ready for another top-tier season.”
How Are the Phillies Holding Up?
Despite Harper’s struggles, the Phillies have taken two of their first three series as they chase a championship, with relatively few roster changes this year.
After reshuffling outfielders, upgrading the bullpen, and promoting two top prospects, the team is once again relying heavily on veterans Kyle Schwarber, JT Realmuto, Trea Turner, Aaron Nola, Zack Wheeler, and Harper to perform like stars.
Philadelphia sits atop the NL East at 6–4. After dropping the opening series to the Texas Rangers, they beat Harper’s old team, the Washington Nationals, and then took a series at Coors Field against the Colorado Rockies. They’ll face the San Francisco Giants early this week after their April 6 win.
Harper is under the most scrutiny of anyone on the roster. Now, it’s on him to prove he can still play at an elite level and show he’s worth the extension he wants.
