Bryce Harper Speaks Out About Dave Dombrowski’s “Not Elite” Comment
Bryce Harper spoke to the media for the first time since Dave Dombrowski questioned whether or not he can become an elite player again after his 2025 season. He responded earlier in the offseason by posting a TikTok video of himself hitting while wearing a shirt that read “NOT ELITE” across his chest.
As he arrived for spring training, the media immediately asked him what his thoughts were on Dombrowski’s comments in his postseason press conference. Harper’s response showed he wasn’t happy with what was said, but he is ready to focus on the task ahead: bringing a World Championship back to Philadelphia.
Bryce Harper Responds
The main thing Harper made clear when speaking to the media was his disappointment that Dombrowski made the comments publicly rather than keeping them private. We all knew right away how dumb it was for him to say in the first place, and the damage it would do. Though some thought Harper would turn this into motivation to get back to MVP form, he shot that down today.
When he wore the T-Shirt, many perceived it as Harper turning something into a genius marketing idea once again. He confirmed that he was given the shirt and wasn’t doing it solely to fire back at Dombrowski or even turn it into motivation. If Dombrowski made those comments to fire Harper up, he failed miserably. Bryce said that he didn’t need to be motivated to be great, and he knows last season wasn’t up to his standards.
Dave Dombrowski really hurt himself and the entire organization when he questioned whether Bryce Harper could get back to the player he was when he signed with the team in 2019. The reality is, the Phillies have been and will continue to rely heavily on Harper to deliver once again.
The Phillies Need MVP Harper
After a very disappointing offseason yet again for the Philadelphia Phillies, they will once again be relying on Bryce Harper to carry them. The middle and bottom of the lineup haven’t changed, and it’s simply not good enough to balance things out. If they want to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers, they’re going to need vintage Harper to show himself. Unfortunately, the Phillies did nothing to help him get back to that level.
One of the biggest reasons why Harper hasn’t posted big numbers is that his protection in the lineup has been subpar. Alec Bohm is a good player, but not good enough to be a team’s cleanup hitter with championship aspirations. If the Phillies had added an impact bat to go behind Harper, his chances of putting up MVP-type numbers would increase drastically.
They were in on Bo Bichette, but ended up striking out, and Bo headed to Queens on a three-year deal. After he went elsewhere, Dave Dombrowski hit the panic button and immediately ran back to JT Realmuto, an aging player who’s been on the decline for years. Philadelphia is running back the same team that’s failed for years, while their opponents continue to improve.
How Far Can The Phillies Go?
Despite the lackluster offseason, the Phillies are still projected to win the National League East. They have one of the better bullpens in all of baseball, especially with the addition of Brad Keller and Jose Alvarado returning. The starting rotation is the biggest question for them. Zack Wheeler’s timetable for return is still unknown, and when he does return, he’ll have to be at the top of his game.
The lineup will be one of the best in all of baseball, but showing up in October is what matters the most. The big three of Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner and Bryce Harper have to show up. The Phillies stand no chance in the playoffs if the top of their lineup goes quiet again.
All the pressure once again goes onto Dave Dombrowski to deliver at the trade deadline. The team currently constructed is not good enough to win a World Series. He has failed to make multiple big-time trades for multiple years in a row, and didn’t keep his foot on the gas when he acquired Jhoan Duran from the Minnesota Twins last year. Regardless, the Phillies will be a fun team to watch, and time will tell if Dombrowski can put his team over the top.
