Mar 5, 2025, 08:03 PM ET
Two-time National League MVP Bryce Harper is “more than open” to returning to the outfield — where he played his first nine MLB seasons — if the Philadelphia Phillies can significantly upgrade at first base.
“I talked to them this offseason about that,” Harper told The Athletic in an interview published Wednesday. “Just in case a guy was available [at first] that we needed to have, needed to get. 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.”
Alonso re-signed with the New York Mets, but he could again be available after this season if he opts out of his two-year deal. Slugging first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. also is scheduled to become a free agent after failing to reach an extension with the Toronto Blue Jays this offseason.
Harper, who played catcher and first base prior to entering the majors, moved to the outfield — mostly playing right field — after he was selected by the Washington Nationals with the first pick in the 2010 draft. He hasn’t played the outfield since undergoing Tommy John surgery after the 2022 season — his fourth with the Phillies.
He told The Athletic that he doesn’t have a preference what position he plays, but it “would be awesome … unbelievable” if he won his first-ever Gold Glove at first base.
The 32-year-old Harper, who is entering his 14th major league season, has 336 career home runs and is aware that 500 is within reach.
“You’ve got to stay healthy. You’ve got to stay strong. You’ve got to be on winning teams, too, I feel like,” Harper told The Athletic. “Obviously, you can do it without that. But I feel like it just pushes you that much more to be great, being in an organization with a fan base that pushes you every day.
“Individual stats are great, but that one thing, man … that World Series. That’s what you want to do. All those things will take care of themselves if you’re winning and if you’re staying healthy. I’m not really too worried about it.”
