The rumors surrounding the Philadelphia Phillies potentially trading away superstar Bryce Harper grew so loud that Harper himself felt the need to respond.
Harper addressed the speculation in an interview with The Athletic, saying, “I’ve given my all to Philly from the start. Now there’s 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.”
Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski also weighed in, calling the rumors “completely false” and adding that Harper remains a vital part of the team’s future.
Still, from a fantasy baseball standpoint, it’s worth assessing Harper’s value whether he stays in Philadelphia or is somehow dealt. Many big names would see their value fluctuate with a trade, but is Harper one of those?
Harper’s name still carries tremendous weight, though his age slightly limits his ceiling. The move from the outfield to first base also affects his fantasy value, but he remains a reliable contributor.
While Harper may no longer be a 35-plus home run threat, he has hit 30 and 27 in the past two seasons. He hasn’t reached 100 RBIs since 2019 or scored 100 runs since his days with the Nationals, but he continues to produce solid numbers. Surprisingly, he’s still running well for a first baseman, stealing double-digit bases in four of the past five years.
Batting average was once Harper’s calling card, though that has declined. Gone are his .300 seasons, and last year’s .261 marked a new low.
Even so, Harper remains a safe, steady fantasy option. Expect around 25 home runs, 70–80 RBIs and runs scored, 10–12 steals, and a batting average that won’t hurt your team. Regardless of where he plays next season, Harper’s fantasy value should remain largely unchanged.