Bryce Harper Open to Outfield Return if Phillies Sign Star First Baseman

Bryce Harper is the Phillies’ first baseman heading into 2025, but it doesn’t seem like he’s 100% locked into staying at first for the rest of his career. In an interview with The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, Harper talked about the possibility of moving back to the outfield, saying he’d be willing to do it if the Phillies signed a star first baseman:

“I talked to (the Phillies) this offseason about that, just in case a guy was available (at first) that we needed to have, needed to get,” Harper said. “I’d be more than open to it if we had a guy like that, who was going to change our lineup or change the demeanor of our team. They like me at first base. But I’d go out there to have a guy who was going to play first base and hit 35 or 40 homers.

When Pete (Alonso) was on the block still, I kind of sat there and was like, ‘Hey, why not?’ When we talked about it, I kind of just reiterated to (the Phillies) and Scott (Boras) that I’m willing to move out there if it’s going to help us. I love playing first base. It’s been great. But if it’s going to help us win, I’d go back out there.” 

We saw a few reports this offseason of the Phillies possibly checking in on Pete Alonso in free agency, although Rosenthal did say that nothing ever got serious between the two sides.

He talked more about the Harper situation Wednesday on the Foul Territory Network.

Will Bryce Harper move back to the OF? @Ken_Rosenthal with the inside scoop pic.twitter.com/zZBVL3fNnu

— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) March 5, 2025

Harper excelled at first base last year. He was a Gold Glove finalist and the Phillies are expecting a bigger and better 2025. When they moved him to first, they were worried about long throws from the outfield coming off of Tommy John surgery, but it also made the most sense when Rhys Hoskins went down with a torn ACL during spring training in 2023. Harper is an incredible athlete and could probably play all nine positions on the field and be above average at all of them.

Kyle Schwarber has turned into the Phillies full-time DH over the last few seasons, and although he’ll play some more outfield this year, that’s his spot in the lineup. He’s a free agent after this season, and there are already reports that the Phillies and Schwarber’s camp want to agree on an extension. Max Kepler was only signed to a 1-year deal. Nick Castellanos’ contract is up after the 2026 season. There are going to be holes in the Phillies outfield eventually. Maybe one of those spots if filled by Harper.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr will be a free agent after the 2025 season, and is the first name I think of when it comes to star free agents available. Last offseason, it was Pete Alonso, who ended up re-signing with the New York Mets, and Rosenthal did say that talks between the Phillies and Alonso never got serious. Could the Phillies target Vladdy after this season with the plan of moving Harper back to the outfield? Only time will tell; but for now, Harper is playing first base for the Phillies.

The post Bryce Harper Open to Outfield Return if Phillies Sign Star First Baseman appeared first on Crossing Broad.