Mar 27, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first base Bryce Harper (3) is introduced prior to the game between the Washington Nationals and the Philadelphia Phillies at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images Reggie Hildred
WASHINGTON — Whether or not the Phillies extend Bryce Harper's contract beyond the 2031 season, he knows for sure that he'll be with the team in 2026. But the face of the franchise seems to be embracing the possibility that this will be the final year of the Harper 1.0 Era of the team.
Prior to an Opening Day victory over the Nationals, Harper had an interesting outlook on some of the younger players on the team — a group that he says is no longer "The Daycare" — heading into the 2025 season.
"At this moment in their career, they have a lot of guys in here that have played baseball for a long time and have been in the game for a long time," Harper said. "I want them to put all the pressure on us and just go out and play their game ... just have fun, enjoy the moment because this might be the last time they are able to do that. Because if they do go to a different team or they're with us or anything else like that, they're gonna be the guy one day. So I want them to kind of just enjoy that moment of playing ball and having a good time and enjoying it as much as they can."
Bryce Harper says “they’re not the daycare anymore.”
(Via @TimKellySports) pic.twitter.com/pnYX2hXuqB
Alec Bohm, Bryson Stott and Brandon Marsh all have at least one remaining year of arbitration eligibility after this season. Harper even went out of his way to talk about how much he loves Bohm after the third baseman came through with a go-ahead double in the 10th inning Thursday. The message wasn't that this trio definitely won't be here in 2026.
But it's possible that not all three will be back. Bohm's name was mentioned frequently in trade rumors this past offseason. Stott needs to have a bounce-back year offensively, or it's possible the Phillies could shift Trea Turner to second base when top prospect Aidan Miller is ready to take over at shortstop in 2026. Marsh will get extended runway early in 2025 to try to prove that he can play every day, particularly against left-handed pitching.
Even if all three are back in 2026, they'll no longer be the young guys on the team. Bohm is 28, while Stott and Marsh are 27. They're already veterans, but still relatively young on an older team. But their veteran status will become more apparent in the coming year when Miller, Justin Crawford and Andrew Painter come up as the next wave of young talent for the Phillies.
Bryce Harper on Alec Bohm: “A lot of guys in here, including myself, we love that kid over there.”
(Via @TimKellySports) pic.twitter.com/Es85QmoiHY
Also, leadership voids could open up if Realmuto and/or Schwarber — both of whom will be free agents after this season — aren't back in 2026. The guess here is one or both will still be with the Phillies next year, but the club has to be careful in how many players they sign into their mid-30s.
Without referring to either of those two — or Ranger Suárez, who is also in a contract year — Harper slipped in an interesting message in his postgame meeting with the media Thursday.
"It's an opportunity to do it, possibly with guys who might not be here next year," Harper said after the Opening Day win. "It's a real possibility. Obviously, I want guys back and to keep plugging along and going with the group, but it's a real possibility that won't happen.
"So we're just gonna play it, see how the season goes and obviously our main goal is to get in the postseason and make a long run."
Harper has been a celebrity since he was a teenager and is extremely well media trained. Nothing he says is by accident. Obviously, it's easier to have this type of mindset when you yourself don't have any uncertainty about your future. But the mentality Harper seemed to stress on Opening Day was having a sense of urgency, because there's a very real possibility that this is the final opportunity for this group to get over the top and win a World Series together.
