NEW YORK — The New York Yankees’ hopes of finally bringing Bryce Harper to the Bronx took a major blow this week. Harper’s agent, Scott Boras, quickly shut down fresh trade speculation, while MLB insider Joel Sherman cautioned the team against pursuing the Phillies star.
The noise began when Philadelphia Phillies president Dave Dombrowski publicly questioned whether Harper could regain elite status. His remarks fueled instant chatter about the possibility of a trade, with the Yankees emerging as the most speculated destination. But Boras wasted no time in dismissing that idea, defending his client’s future in Philadelphia.
Agent delivers crushing blow to Yankees fans
AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
“I don’t think Dave or John or anybody is contemplating Bryce Harper not being a Philadelphia Phillie for the rest of his career,” Boras said when asked about the rumors. The super agent stood firm on Harper’s long-term value and used advanced metrics to reinforce his argument.
Boras pointed to expected stats to claim Harper’s production remains in line with his career levels.
“When you look into expected baseball stats, Harper is pretty much on par with his career averages,” Boras said.
He even compared the player’s exit velocity and barrel rate to stars such as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bobby Witt Jr.
Dombrowski’s comments, however, sparked doubts within the league. While Boras highlighted positives, Harper’s barrel rate ranked only 54th in MLB this year. His exit velocity placed 49th, both well below his peak seasons. Those declines made scouts and executives skeptical about the player’s true trajectory.
Sherman warns Yankees about Harper pursuit
New York Post insider Joel Sherman added to the doubts. Speaking on the “Pinstripe Post” podcast, he questioned the wisdom of the Yankees making a push for Harper.
“Harper just had, like, his worst season, and he’s 33,” Sherman said. “And he’s a violent player in the way he swings, and the way he runs, and you have to ask seriously, ‘Am I about to buy the worst years of Bryce Harper’s career because I’m in love with the name, and I’m miserable that I didn’t sign him when he was 26.'”
Sherman noted that a Phillies trade would not be completely shocking, but emphasized the steep challenges. Harper’s deal still carries six years and about $150 million. The Yankees would be tying themselves to an aging player at massive cost.
The numbers back his caution. Harper batted .261 in 2025 with 27 homers and 75 RBIs. His .844 OPS was his lowest since 2016. In the postseason, he slumped further, managing just three hits in 15 at-bats with no RBIs.
Yankees face difficult roster decisions
Robert Sabo for NY Post
The Yankees’ latest playoff exit has reopened questions about roster construction. They were eliminated by the Blue Jays in the Division Series, once again exposing offensive flaws. Harper’s left-handed bat could fill part of that void, but not without consequences.
First baseman Ben Rice emerged this season as a cornerstone piece. The 26-year-old hit 26 home runs and carried an .836 OPS. Advanced metrics ranked him among the league’s best at his position. Moving Rice in a deal for Harper would weaken the Yankees’ long-term plans.
Sherman and others suggest younger alternatives, such as Kyle Tucker or Cody Bellinger, fit better with the Yankees’ roster timeline. Both offer production without the long-term contract baggage Harper carries.
Adding Harper’s massive contract would also compound payroll strain. The Yankees already have Aaron Judge locked through 2031 and Gerrit Cole under contract until 2028. Taking on another deal north of $150 million for a 33-year-old adds risk.
Philadelphia sends mixed signals about Harper
Boras insists Harper will stay in Philadelphia, but not everyone in the Phillies organization sounds convinced. Former Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. hinted at possible changes during an interview on 94 WIP Radio.
“You may see one of the big contracts moved,” Amaro said. “I’m not saying who. And I know there are a lot of no-trade clauses. But you may see one of those big contracts get moved somehow, someway.”
Amaro’s comments stoked rumors even further. Philadelphia’s payroll stood at $291 million in 2025, yet the team still suffered another October disappointment. The Phillies front office has acknowledged Harper remains an All-Star-level player but with a reduced ceiling.
Harper holds a full no-trade clause, meaning any move would need his approval. That adds another layer of difficulty for the Yankees or any team considering him.
Past mistakes haunt Yankees front office
The debate over Harper also reopens an old wound. The Yankees passed on signing him during his 2019 free agency, a decision that still lingers.
Harper’s ties to the Yankees run deep. His father was a lifelong fan. He wore No. 34 with the Nationals as a nod to Mickey Mantle. Reports at the time suggested he was open to signing in New York before the Phillies offered a record deal.
CC Sabathia recently addressed that missed opportunity, posting online, “Sure. lol he hasn’t won anything. Matter of fact, his team won after he left haha.” He referred to Washington’s 2019 World Series title, which came immediately after Harper’s departure.
Reality check dampens trade speculation
Despite rumors, a Harper trade remains improbable. Boras’s statement leaves little doubt about his client’s intentions, and the financial barriers appear insurmountable.
Sherman’s warning rings loudest for the Yankees. Harper’s production no longer matches his superstar reputation. His injury history, violent swing, and defensive limitations only add to the risks.
Young talent like Rice offers the Yankees a more sustainable path. Moving those pieces for Harper would undercut the front office’s recent focus on balance and long-term planning.
Philadelphia faces its own challenges after another playoff collapse. But moving Harper, with his no-trade clause and iconic status in the city, would require extraordinary circumstances.
Harper’s declining numbers raise concerns
The decline is not speculation alone. Harper played only 132 games in 2025 due to nagging injuries. He has topped 145 games just once since joining the Phillies.
Defensively, his transition to first base has been rocky. Metrics grade him below average, limiting his versatility. That issue would create complications for the Yankees, who already juggle limited-fielding stars.
Advanced stats show warning signs. His chase rate rose, and his contact quality dipped. While his hard-hit rate remains solid, the overall trend reflects the natural decline of a player entering his mid-thirties.
Yankees better off pursuing other targets
The Yankees’ priority this winter should be younger, more durable options. Tucker and Bellinger offer balance, flexibility, and fewer long-term concerns. International talent remains another viable path, with Japanese stars continuing to make immediate MLB impacts.
Building around Judge requires complementary pieces, not overlapping skill sets. Harper may still be a star name, but his profile no longer fits what the Yankees need most.
For now, Boras’s firm stance ends the speculation. Harper appears tied to Philadelphia, leaving the Yankees to focus on attainable targets that align with their future.
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