Phillies Encouraged to Trade Bryce Harper for $260 Million Star in Bold Proposal
The Philadelphia Phillies enter the 2025 season as strong World Series contenders, barring any major setbacks. ESPN Bet currently has them tied with the rival New York Mets for the fourth-best championship odds (10-to-1) and projects them to win 91.5 games. A key contributor to their success is expected to be Bryce Harper, who hit 30 home runs last season and played at least 140 games for the first time since 2021.
However, CBS Sports writer Mike Axisa has a bold midseason prediction that could shake up the Phillies’ roster. He speculates that the team might make a trade deadline move for St. Louis Cardinals All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado—a deal that could push Harper back into a full-time outfield role.
“Where will Arenado land?” Axisa wrote, hinting at Philadelphia as a possible destination. “I won’t be specific, though there’s a certain all-in NL East team with a core that’s starting to get older and wouldn’t have to try hard to find a way to make things work on the infield corners (by moving a certain outfielder-turned-first baseman back to the outfield). Point is, I’m predicting Arenado moves at the trade deadline rather than waiting until next offseason.”
Harper, now 32, has primarily played first base and designated hitter over the past two seasons, making only 16 outfield starts since 2021. If the Phillies were to acquire Arenado, third baseman Alec Bohm would likely shift to first base to accommodate the 10-time Gold Glove winner at the hot corner. Bohm has experience at both positions but has played 85% of his 557 career starts at third base.
While Arenado, now 34, has seen a statistical decline, he still produced solid numbers in 2024, hitting 16 home runs with 71 RBI and 70 runs scored across 635 plate appearances while slashing .272/.325/.719. He has three years remaining on the eight-year, $260 million contract he originally signed with the Colorado Rockies in 2019.
A move for Arenado would be a blockbuster midseason shake-up, and if the Phillies make a deep playoff push, it could be a game-changing acquisition.
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