3 Trade Landing Spots for Phillies' Bryce Harper

It's time for a 'dramatic' move for the Philadelphia Phillies after another postseason flameout. That's the word from insider Ken Rosenthal in The Athletic. He claims the Phils should even consider trading Bryce Harper. 

The team's playoff runs have gotten shorter and shorter each season over the last six years, and Harper maybe is no longer an 'elite' superstar, as his GM Dave Dombrowski mentioned a year ago. Harper wanted to prove his GM wrong this season, but wound up with extremely similar numbers to 2025, and the team suffered another early playoff exit. 

"The Phillies at least need to kick around the idea of trading" Harper. 

The 9-time All-Star is owed $118 million over the next five seasons, and has a full no-trade clause. That will make it difficult to pull off. 

But if it is a consideration, let's have a look at three potential trade landing spots for Harper, with the help of Jason Burgos of Sportsnaut.

Chicago Cubs

Like the Phillies, the Cubs were bounced from this year's postseason dance much earlier than they would have liked. They could be losing right-fielder Seiya Suzuki in free agency, so a ready-made spot could be open in the Cubs lineup. 

Boston Red Sox

Yet another club with high expectations (and salaries) that couldn't get past the Wild Card series. Losing to the NY Yankees makes it sting even more, and the BoSox could do something drastic, like the Phillies, this offseason. Burgos notes that Harper would fill another key role for the Red Sox, even aside from the outfield. 

"The thing this team lacks the most, which he would address, is a proven veteran leader on the field and in the clubhouse. If he can handle the pressure of Philadelphia, Harper would be fine in Boston."

Toronto Blue Jays

Another AL East team, and this one flopped even worse than the BoSox in 2026. The defending AL champions from 2025 sunk to the status of also-rans this year, missing the postseason altogether. Their inability to come up with the big hit, and an overall moribund offense was the Jays' main problem (aside from a littany of massive injuries to the starting rotation). 

Adding the hype and bombast of Harper would juice up the offense and be the latest big splash for the Blue Jays. "Adding Harper to the batting order gives Toronto a spot... you can’t pitch around," wrote Burgos.