Bryce Harper Responds to Dombrowski's 'Not Elite' Comments

Phillies star says team president's remarks were 'kinda wild'

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper has responded to comments made by team president Dave Dombrowski last October, in which Dombrowski suggested Harper was no longer an elite player. Harper expressed some discontent with Dombrowski's remarks, saying they went against the organization's policy of keeping things 'in-house'.

Why it matters

Harper is a two-time National League MVP and a key part of the Phillies' lineup. Dombrowski's comments about Harper's elite status could impact the team's relationship with their star player as they prepare for the upcoming season.

The details

In October 2025, following the Phillies' postseason exit, Dombrowski said Harper was no longer an elite player. Harper, who is entering his age-33 season, acknowledged his numbers dipped in 2025 compared to previous years, but still posted a 129 OPS+, a high-end figure. Harper also noted his strikeout rate dropped and his exit velocity and barrel percentage remained strong.

  • In October 2025, Dombrowski made his comments about Harper no longer being elite.
  • Harper responded to Dombrowski's remarks in February 2026, as the Phillies were preparing to begin spring training.

The players

Bryce Harper

A two-time National League MVP and star outfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Dave Dombrowski

The president of baseball operations for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“For me it was kinda wild the whole situation of that happening. I think the big thing for me was when we first met with this organization it was, 'Hey we're always going to keep things in-house and we expect you to do the same thing.' So when that didn't happen it kind of took me for a run a little bit.”

— Bryce Harper (usatoday.com)

What’s next

The Phillies begin spring training on February 21 with a matchup against the Toronto Blue Jays, giving Harper and Dombrowski a chance to address the situation further before the start of the 2026 season.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of maintaining open and transparent communication within a professional sports organization, especially when it comes to discussing the performance and status of star players like Bryce Harper.