Issues are getting ugly quick in Philadelphia.
In response to The Athletic, Phillies star Bryce Harper and staff president Dave Dombrowski’s fractured relationship hasn’t been repaired, particularly after Harper’s current feedback on the staff’s future outlook.
Per the outlet, “neither Harper nor Dombrowski, two highly effective males with large egos, significantly cares for the opposite.”
After the Phillies’ 1-0 loss to the Marlins Tuesday evening, Harper was brutally trustworthy in his evaluation of the staff.
“I feel we want some assist,” Harper instructed reporters after being requested concerning the offense’s struggles.
“I feel we’ve proved just about all 12 months we’ve completed a reasonably good job, however anytime you may get some assist in right here and a few reinforcements, it helps.”
Requested about what the Phillies want particularly, Harper mentioned each hitting and pitching.
His feedback didn’t sit effectively with the Phillies brass nor interim supervisor Don Mattingly.
“I sense Bryce is considering it [the roster],” Mattingly mentioned. “I don’t actually sense anyone else serious about it, truthfully. And also you’ve been by means of this; guys need to be GMs and not using a actual understanding of the place the group is, precisely the place this factor goes. Not solely this 12 months, however transferring ahead.”
“Gamers like being GMs and making calls and spending different folks’s cash. So, I simply let it go at that. I imply, Dave’s been doing this whereas. He’s by no means actually backed away from making an attempt to get guys. We’re making an attempt to get higher. We’re going to attempt to get higher on the deadline.”
Harper and Dombrowski’s relationship started to deteriorate after the GM referred to as the star out following the Phillies’ NLDS loss to the Dodgers final season.
“He’s nonetheless a high quality participant. He’s nonetheless an All-Star-caliber participant. He didn’t have an elite season like he has had previously. And I suppose we solely discover out if turns into elite or he continues to be good,” Dombrowski mentioned at his 2025 end-of-year press convention.
Harper fired again in February.
“I don’t get motivated by that form of stuff,” Harper instructed reporters. “For me, it was form of wild the entire scenario of that taking place. I feel the massive factor for me was, once we first met with this group, it was, ‘Hey, you realize, we’re at all times going to maintain issues in-house, and we count on you to do the identical.’ And so, you realize, when that didn’t occur, it form of took me for a run somewhat bit.”
Harper is within the eighth season of a 13-year, $330 million contract that runs by means of 2031, and though Dombrowski is signed simply by means of 2027, an extension might be within the playing cards.
The Phillies have had a rollercoaster season, however are simply 3-9 for the reason that All-Star break and are seven video games again of the Braves for first place within the NL East coming into Friday.
