Bryce Harper’s Agent Sends Phillies New Contract Ask With Elite Status In Doubt

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 31: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on during a game against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on March 31, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) Getty Images The Philadelphia Phillies have won two of their first three series as the team looks to answer lingering questions about its ability to go further into the playoffs with largely the same core of star players. Though the team shuffled outfielders, revamped the bullpen and promoted a pair of top prospects, it will once again be counting on veterans like Kyle Schwarber, JT Realmuto, Trea Turner and Aaron Nola to perform at star levels.

And the Phillies' franchise slugger Bryce Harper is facing perhaps the most pressure to demonstrate that he’s still in his prime. MORE FROM FORBES Yankees’ Jazz Chisholm Jr Downplays Mistake After Aaron Boone Call Out By Peter Chawaga Philadelphia Phillies’ Bryce Harper Slumping At The Plate After Dave Dombrowski Call Out After a relatively poor season at the plate last year, Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski openly questioned whether or not Harper could return to his “elite” status during an end-of-season press conference. “He didn’t have an elite season like he's had in the past,” Dombrowski said, per ESPN News Services .

“I guess we only find out if he becomes elite or he continues to be good. " And with that challenge hovering over him, Harper has responded with some early season struggles. He slashed just .

139/. 205/. 333 with five hits and seven strikeouts in his first 36 at-bats.