Bryce Harper has transformed himself into one of the best defensive first basemen in the league since taking over the position full-time in July 2023.
The Phillies superstar moved to first after the team found itself in dire need to fill the position due to injuries to Rhys Hoskins and Darick Hall. Harper was serving as designated hitter at the time, remarkably returning just 160 days after Tommy John surgery. The Phillies brass decided it was best to make him a full-time first baseman instead of risking his arm with a return to right field.
The work Harper poured into his defensive transformation has paid massive dividends – earning him a Gold Glove finalist nod last season while committing just six errors in 1,429 chances at first over the last season and a half.
However, Harper disclosed he was willing to abandon his newfound defensive home and return to the outfield if it meant the Phillies could land a four-time All-Star slugger in free agency.
Bryce Harper would have given up first base for premier slugger
In an eye-opening interview with The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, Harper revealed he approached the Phillies front office and volunteered to switch positions again when Pete Alonso was a free agent.
“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 told The Athletic. “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.”
Obviously, that selfless scenario never materialized. Alonso ultimately returned to the New York Mets on a two-year, $54 million contract. The only offensive addition the Phillies made was signing left-handed hitting outfielder Max Kepler, who managed a mere eight home runs with the Minnesota Twins in 2024, to a one-year deal.
But Harper’s positional flexibility could emerge as a crucial factor after the 2025 season if the Phillies make a play for Toronto Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who will hit the free agent market looking for a massive payday.
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