Bryce Harper Returns to Outfield as Phillies Pull Off Mega-Deal: In a Stunning Trade, the Phillies Land a Power House Slugger from the NL East, Shifting Bryce Harper Back to Outfield
Bryce Harper noted before the season started that he’d be willing to move back to the outfield if the Philadelphia Phillies added a first baseman.
Whether the front office and ownership believe that’s the right decision, given some of the health concerns Harper has faced throughout his career, is something the team might consider.
There aren’t many elite first basemen around Major League Baseball, and Harper is probably the best in the show, despite playing the position for the first time in his career last season after returning from Tommy John surgery.
However, if one becomes available, mainly a veteran who doesn’t strike out much and can put together good at-bats, the Phillies should be interested in them.
Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report named Josh Bell one of the top 10 most likely trade candidates at the deadline, and he could make perfect sense for this Phillies lineup if Harper is still willing to move back to the outfield.
“Now in his second stint with the Nationals, Bell is a veteran switch-hitter that can play first and DH,” Kelly wrote. “The Nationals have some exciting young talents, but are probably a year or two away from contending. He signed a one-year, $6 million deal to return to the Nats in the summer likely aware that there was a real shot he’d be traded for the fourth consecutive summer.”
Bell is an above-average hitter who has been around the league over the past few seasons, playing for multiple teams.
While his numbers have dropped in recent campaigns, he was still an above-average player as recently as 2023, posting a 114 OPS+ in the second half with the Miami Marlins.
The switch-hitter isn’t exactly a perfect player, and his defensive issues are certainly warranted.
Still, if he returned to how he played during 2022, when he ranked in the 83rd percentile in K%, he could be an excellent fit for this Phillies lineup.
