Phillies' Dave Dombrowski ridiculously questions if Bryce Harper is still elite

Matt Sullivan

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Phillies' Dave Dombrowski ridiculously questions if Bryce Harper is still elite image

Following the 2025 season, the Philadelphia Phillies will have to do a lot of introspection. It was supposed to be a better year than it was, with an elite rotation, strong bullpen, and great offensive talent up and down the lineup. But it ended in a lackluster playoff exit.

In the wake of their NLDS elimination, thanks largely to the top of the order going silent, there were some questions over whether Bryce Harper was still elite. Fans can ask such a question from the outside, but such questions coming from within the organization can be a bad look.

And yet, during the end-of-year press conference, as Sports Radio 94 WIP shared on Twitter/X, Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski questioned whether Harper was still the elite player he was when he signed with the Phillies.

Dave Dombrowski questions whether Bryce Harper is still elite

"I guess we only find out if he becomes elite (again) or if he continues to be good," Dombrowski answered. "Can he rise to the next level again? I don't really know that answer."

This comment from Dombrowski is a ridiculous one to make. A fan posing this question and uncertainty is already one thing, but for the president of baseball operations of the Phillies, the team that has Harper signed to a $330 million contract, it's not a good look.

Harper turned 33 years old on the day these comments were made and is coming off a down year by his standards. Harper had a .261 batting average with an .844 OPS. It's the worst OPS he's had since signing with the Phillies, and the lowest since his 2016 season.

While he's not producing at the elite levels he's shown at times in his Phillies career, he's still an overwhelming positive presence in the lineup. He's also nominated for a Gold Glove at first base, just two years after making the move to the new position.

Even though he hit just .200 in the playoffs, there's plenty of reason to still be optimistic about Harper. Moving on from Harper, which has been a talking point recently, would be foolish. That conversation has started because of the concerns about Harper no longer being elite.

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For Dombrowski to feed into that notion is a bad look for someone in the same organization as Harper. While he didn't perform at the elite levels he had before with the Phillies, he was still a valuable hitter and fielder, and capable of playing at an elite level.

The Phillies have Harper under contract through 2032, and as long as he's on the roster, the Phillies will look to be contenders. To question his talent is, simply, a ridiculous choice for Dombrowski to make.

Even though it might have been unintentional, to question whether you're leader is still elite isn't a good look. He could've said 'that despite Harper not being elite by his standards, he was still great for us this season.'

Instead, his comments come off as concern surrounding the franchise cornerstone. Coming off a frustrating season, those comments aren't confidence-boosting for Harper or the fans looking for reasons to look forward to 2026.

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Matt Sullivan

Matt Sullivan is a freelance writer for The Sporting News, predominantly covering MLB. Matt is a native of Pennsylvania and has worked with Athlon Sports, Last Word on Sports, and other outlets.