The Philadelphia Phillies are looking forward to the 2025 season. Despite going 95-67 and winning the NL East, the Phillies were sent home in the NLDS by the New York Mets.
They didn't make any big additions in the offseason while not handing out any extensions. Kyle Schwarber, J.T. Realmuto and Ranger Suárez will all be free agents at the end of the years, so the pressure is on to cash in.
For the last three campaigns, Philadelphia believed they had a championship roster but things didn't come together in the postseason. In an article written by Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, he revealed that manager Rob Thomson is considering making some changes to the batting order.
He seems prepared to move Schwarber from the lead off spot down to the third spot. That would mean that Bryce Harper would move into the second spot.
Bryce Harper spent the winter showing the world how he makes ribs, cheesesteaks and more. He got back to work yesterday in Clearwater, hungry to win a World Series. https://t.co/rgtpSFJlXo
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) February 16, 2025
Bryce Harper Could Move Into the 2nd Spot in Batting Lineup
Thompson already said that Harper won't hit leadoff but Harper is open to moving up in the batting order. He said, "I'll take the extra at-bats, but I don't want to hit leadoff."
Nothing has been finalized but the 32-year-old is willing to do anything to win with the Phillies.
"I haven't been talked to yet. Obviously, I'm a three-hole hitter -- or I have been. But whenever they tell me to hit two or four, I've done that in the past. I want to win, so I don't care what that takes."Bryce Harper
Harper is going into his seventh season with the Philadelphia and is looking to bring home a championship. Last season, the eight-time All-Star hit .285 with 30 home runs and 87 RBI. He was also 10th in the league in OPS (.898) but Harper isn't content with that.
“I'd like my OPS to be higher,” Harper said. “If my OPS and my on-base percentage is high, I think the Phillies are going to be in a good spot. If I can keep those elevated, then we'll be good," Harper said when speaking with reporters on Feb. 15.
The Phillies know they need to win this year and Harper is someone who'll play a huge role in the team's potential success.