Phillies' Bryce Harper Surprised by Dombrowski's Season Review

Harper says he's using critical comments as motivation for upcoming season

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Philadelphia Phillies star outfielder Bryce Harper admitted he was surprised by comments from team president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski that suggested Harper may no longer be an elite player. Harper said he's using Dombrowski's criticism as motivation heading into the 2026 season, though he acknowledged his 2025 numbers were down from his usual standards.

Why it matters

Harper is one of the biggest stars in baseball and a key part of the Phillies' lineup. Any questions about his performance or future could have major implications for the team's success, so Dombrowski's critical comments have sparked intrigue and debate.

The details

Harper batted just .261 with 27 home runs and 75 RBIs in 132 games during the 2025 regular season, and he struggled in the Phillies' playoff loss to the Dodgers. Dombrowski said he's not sure if Harper can "rise to the next level again" and questioned whether he's still an elite, top-10 player in baseball.

  • Harper is in the 8th season of a 13-year, $330 million contract with the Phillies.
  • Dombrowski made his critical comments about Harper's 2025 season in October 2025.

The players

Bryce Harper

A two-time National League MVP and eight-time MLB All-Star, Harper is one of the biggest stars in baseball and a key part of the Philadelphia Phillies' lineup.

Dave Dombrowski

The president of baseball operations for the Philadelphia Phillies, Dombrowski made critical comments about Harper's 2025 season performance.

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What they’re saying

“I don't get motivated by that kind of stuff. For me, it was kind of 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, so I don't know. It's part of it, I guess. It was kind of a wild situation.”

— Bryce Harper (statenews.net)

“Can he rise to the next level again? I don't really know that answer. He's the one that will dictate that more than anything else. I don't think he's content with the year that he had. Again, it wasn't a bad year. But when I think of Bryce Harper, you think elite, you think of one of the top-10 players in baseball, and I don't think it fit into that category.”

— Dave Dombrowski, President of Baseball Operations, Philadelphia Phillies (statenews.net)

What’s next

The Phillies will be closely watching Harper's performance and mindset heading into the 2026 season to see if he can bounce back to his elite form.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the high expectations and scrutiny that come with being a superstar player like Bryce Harper. While his 2025 numbers were down, the Phillies and their fans will be hoping Harper uses Dombrowski's critical comments as motivation to regain his status as one of the premier players in baseball.