Phillies GM Dave Dombrowski Divulges Bryce Harper’s Future as an Outfielder as Big Name Free Agents Becoming Available

When the Philadelphia Phillies moved Bryce Harper to first base last season in April, it made sense. He was recovering from Tommy John surgery, and after the team lost Rhys Hoskins to a season-ending ACL tear, Harper to first was reasonable. Not to mention he was entering 31, so first base seemed safe for him, with lesser chances of injuries. But now, things are different!

The Phillies are currently looking to transform their lineup, and Dave Dombrowski has mentioned that the outfield is the most “obvious” area for an upgrade. But when they look at the free-agent market, the options present are expensive. Juan Soto is one of the more famous options, and the team with already heavy contracts like that of Bryce might not be able to afford Soto’s. Moreover, five teams have extended their contract offer already, so they might be too late to the party if they offer now. Even so, the team, especially Dombrowski, isn’t looking to shift Harper back to his original position.

The Phillies are satisfied with Bryce Harper

Bryce Harper made an extremely seamless transition to his new role at first base this 2024 season. He impressed, with eight outs above average, according to Statcast, and earned a Gold Glove nomination. Plus, he also played 145 games, his most since 109, which also highlighted his durability. Dave Dombrowski mentioned at the GM meetings, “At this stage of his career, how he has adjusted to the position, that’s not a preference.” 

On Harper coming back to the outfield, Dombrowski mentioned, “I can’t say that we’d never do it. But it’s not something that we are thinking of or wanting to do.” They are satisfied with what Harper is doing and in the position he is in right now. However, the Philadelphia Phillies still have other players in free agency they can go for apart from Soto, like Teoscar Hernández and Anthony Santander, but it’s crucial to note that while they are power hitters, they have swing-and-miss tendencies. Moreover, the Philadelphia Phillies still have other options!

Could Tyler O’Neill be a great option for the Philadelphia Phillies?

Tyler O’Neill is a versatile option for the Philadelphia Phillies. The right-handed corner outfielder is known for his Gold Glove-caliber defense. He has played in all three outfield positions but shines the most brightly in left field. Tyler was a third-round pick by the Seattle Mariners in 2013, and he spent his first six seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals before he broke free in 2021.

In 2024, Tyler O’Neill suited up for the Boston Red Sox and did well, hitting 31 home runs and 61 RBIs. Scott Boras, the agent, cleverly tried to sell too, saying, “Well, if anyone’s seen the structure and stature of Tyler, you know he can carry an offense.” But then, O’Neill’s batting average of .241 and capability to steal bases justifies it, and what makes O’Neill a rather interesting option for the Phillies is his affordability. Scott Boras predicted that Tyler would sign a deal with $15 million annually—this is a much more budget-friendly option than big-ticket players like Juan Soto.

The Philadelphia Phillies could slide Tyler O’Neill into the everyday left-field role. They can shift Brandon Marsh to the platoon and Johan Rojas to the center. This lineup could solve much of the outfield struggles they faced this season, don’t you think? Share your thoughts in the comments.