Bryce Harper deserves better from the Philadelphia Phillies front office

Two years into his tenure, Bryce Harper has been let down by the Philadelphia Phillies brass.

March 2nd, 2019 was a day that was supposed to alter the trajectory of the Philadelphia Phillies franchise for at least the next decade. On that day, their long and tireless pursuit of superstar right fielder Bryce Harper had finally paid off, as they were able to secure Harper as a Philadelphia Phillie for the next 13 years for the large sum of $330 million dollars.

Naturally, the fanfare for the team was the highest it had been in nearly a decade, as the Phillies had finally landed that big star, and the end to their long playoff drought finally looked within reach. Of course, that all seems so silly as we look back on it now.

Even aside from signing Harper that offseason, the Philadelphia Phillies had brought in numerous former All-Stars. This includes former NL MVP Outfielder Andrew McCutchen, shortstop Jean Segura, and the man who has become a fan favorite in Philadelphia, catcher JT Realmuto. These moves were supposed to move the needle, they were set to take this team to another level.

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As we sit here nearly 19 months since that wonderful March day in 2019, the Phillies find themselves exactly where they were before Bryce Harper. Essentially a .500 team with no sense of direction. This team is lost in the wilderness without a map currently. Sadly, there appears to be no end in sight.

Since signing Harper, the Phillies have proceeded to go 109-113. Think about that, and I mean seriously, really think long and hard about that. The Phladelphia Phillies added a superstar like Bryce Harper, and yet have failed to generate a WINNING RECORD in the two seasons he has been in Philadelphia. Maybe I am being overly harsh, but that is EMBARRASSING.

In Harper’s defense, he has been fantastic since coming to Philadelphia. On the field, he has been exactly the player the front office and the fan base had envisioned (albeit streaky at times.) Harp has slashed .262/.385/.903 to go with 48 Homers and 147 RBI’s through 215 games in his tenure as a Phillie. To put that into perspective, his 162 game average as a Phillie would be 37 Home Runs and 111 RBI’s. He has been the perfect middle of the order bat, exactly what the front office wanted him to be.

Off the field? All Harper has done is endear himself to the city of Philadelphia, as well as start a family (as he has had his first child with his wife Kayla). Their sons name is Krew Harper, and the pair is set to welcome a baby girl to the world later on this year. Harper has become Philadelphia, his kids will be from Philadelphia. He has done his part here as a Philadelphia Phillie, and it is truly depressing that the organization continues to let him down.

As the 2020 season has now come to a close for the Phils, it is imperative that this team takes the steps needed to fix the toxic atmosphere that surrounds this baseball team. Their cornerstone franchise player is in place, and he has done his part. When asked whether he believes the franchise should search for a new GM, Harper was mum on his words, as he stated, “I’m not an owner, I am glad I don’t have to make those decisions.”

It is clear that Harper wants to win, I believe you could even argue the Philadelphia Phillies at heart want to win. It is time that they do what needs to be done, clean house in that front office, resign Realmuto, and address the awful situation in the bullpen that everybody aside from this clueless regime saw coming. The Phillies have failed Bryce Harper so far. It is time to make amends, and get this situation back on the correct path.