Phillies GM's Bryce Harper comments may give SF Giants a golden opportunity

Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper has said he is uncomfortable with recent trade talk that has arisen after comments made by Phillies general manager Dave Dombrowski. This could create a golden opportunity for the SF Giants.

Dombrowski openly questioned whether Harper could return to elite levels of production after a 2025 season that saw him have a bit of a down year as he slashed .261/.357/.487 with 27 homers and 75 runs batted in as he dealt with some nagging injuries across 132 games.

SF Giants could make a play for Bryce Harper after Phillies GM's comments

Those comments from Dombrowski have caused some to speculate that Philadelphia could move Harper in a trade which is speculation that Dombrowski has shot down.

Yet, Harper has been hurt by all of the trade talk because he said the reason he does not have an opt-out in his contract was to signal to the fanbase that he was in it for the long run with Philadelphia. However, whenever a GM's public comments are construed as negative especially about a star player there is going to be trade chatter that accompanies that.

It does not seem like a trade is imminent, but some of us are old enough to remember that the Giants traded for a left-handed slugger after some public feuding with his team. Could Buster Posey pull off yet another Rafael Devers-like trade?

It would probably take some more public bickering before a trade could become a reality, but if Harper became available he would certainly be welcome in a Giants lineup that is perpetually in need of offense.

Trading for Harper may seem like an odd fit since he has played first base in recent seasons and the Giants already have Rafael Devers as their first baseman and designated hitter. However, the Giants could put Harper in right field where they have a clear need and where Harper played earlier in his career.

If the season started tomorrow, the Giants would probably have to go with either Drew Gilbert or Luis Matos in right field which is not an ideal situation. Both players showed promise in 2025 but not enough to trust them as a starter or even in a platoon.

Harper would be an obvious upgrade but not an easy one to acquire. He has a no-trade clause so he could decide where he wants to go although he did come close to joining the Giants over the Phillies but he ultimately spurned the team.

It would take a lot of things to go their way for the Giants to land Harper in a trade, but these comments from Dombrowski followed by Harper's comments at least open the door to a divorce in Philadelphia which could allow the Giants to swoop in and snag him.