Philadelphia Phillies

Bryce Harper's custom cleats for the Philadelphia Phillies' 2025 homer opener were unveiled on Monday.

Harper's cleats draw inspiration from the Phillie Phanatic and feature other Philadelphia-themed charms including the city skyline, a boxing glove and the Liberty Bell.

The Phillies will be facing off against the Colorado Rockies in their first game of the 2025 season at Citizens Bank Park.

Harper isn't shy about his affinity for the Phanatic, as he received a tattoo of the mascot earlier in the offseason.

The 32-year-old isn't just a fan of the mascot due to his Phillies career, revealing that he appreciated the Phanatic during his tenure with the Washington Nationals from 2012-18.

"You celebrate him like he’s a player," Harper told MLB.com's Todd Zolecki in June 2024. "It’s true. I feel like it is. Fans love him. People love him. He’s always in the most random photos and places. 'Hey, the Phanatic’s here.' Even as an opposing player, I loved him."

The eight-time All-Star has also featured the mascot on several accessories prior to Philadelphia's 2025 home opener.

Harper's seventh year with the Phillies is already off to a strong start, as he's recorded four hits in 13 at-bats which included a solo home run.

Philadelphia has won two of its first three games of the year as it attempts to make a fourth consecutive postseason appearance.

The Philadelphia Phillies have filed a lawsuit in Pennsylvania Eastern District Court against Zelus Analytics Inc. and its parent company, Teamworks Innovations, alleging they breached their contract by attempting to sell "components of their platform" to other teams within the NL East, per Alex Schiffer of Front Office Sports.

Philadelphia stated that it entered a contractual agreement with the analytics company under terms that it would only work with the Phillies within the NL East. Per the terms of the deal, the company was allegedly allowed to work with one team in each of the other five divisions. In essence, the Phillies claimed they had a "division-exclusive license" with Zelus.

However, the Phillies state that the company is looking to branch out within the division. They are seeking a temporary restraining order and unspecified compensatory damages.

“The harm suffered by the Phillies cannot be adequately remedied by monetary damages alone,” the lawsuit states. “The competitive advantage secured through the division exclusivity agreement and six-team limitation is unique and cannot be precisely quantified.”

Schiffer went into more detail about the work Zelus has done, specifically through a program called Titus Intelligence, "which produces analytical models that help teams evaluate major and minor league players for trades and assist with roster construction, including player contracts and strategy."

"The lawsuit says the Phillies and Zelus had multiple agreements in 2022 and 2023 that allowed the team to have the exclusive use of Titan within the National League East division," Schiffer added.

The Phillies aren't the only team to do business with Zelus.

Per Brendan Kuty of The Athletic, the New York Yankees notably hired Zelus Analytics during the 2023-2024 offseason after an 82-80 season, its worst 162-game season win total since 1992.

Yanks managing general partner/chairman Hal Steinbrenner said in August 2023, per Mark Didtler of the Associated Press, that the team was “looking to bring in possibly an outside company to really take a look at the analytics side of what we do.”

Bryce Harper hasn't played in the outfield since 2022, but he was open to moving back there if the Philadelphia Phillies wanted to make a play for Pete Alonso when his free agency was dragging out.

Speaking to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, Harper explained he spoke to his agent and the Phillies front office about his willingness to change positions if they decided to pursue Alonso:

"I talked to (the Phillies) this offseason about that, 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."

Rosenthal noted the Phillies never got to the point when they were seriously considering Alonso. He did suggest Harper could be an option to move back to the outfield in 2026 if Philadelphia decides to go after Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in free agency.

Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported in November that Philadelphia was looking to add another hitter, but it was "unlikely" the organization would pursue Alonso.

Alonso had a prolonged free agency that finally ended on Feb. 12 when he signed to a two-year, $54 million contract to return to the New York Mets. He could end up back on the market next offseason since he has an opt-out after 2025.

Harper spent the first 10 seasons of his MLB career playing mostly in the outfield, primarily in right field. He was diagnosed with a torn UCL early in his right elbow early in the 2022 season, forcing him to shift to designated hitter for the remainder of the year to keep his bat in the lineup.

After the Phillies' run to the World Series, Harper had Tommy John surgery in November 2022. He has primarily played at first base since returning to the lineup in May 2023.

Harper has made himself into a very good defensive first baseman. He ranked in the 93rd percentile among all players at the position last season with eight outs above average.

There's no doubt that Harper's bat will play no matter where he's playing on the field. He hit .285/.373/.525 with 30 homers in 145 games last season.

Bryce Harper, who is already signed through the 2031 season with the Philadelphia Phillies, is reportedly looking for an even longer commitment from the club.

Harper's agent, Scott Boras, has already "discussed an extension with the Phillies," according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.

Rosenthal added "the matter hardly is urgent" entering the 2025 season.

"I’m just trying to keep my feet where I am now and enjoy it," Harper said. "But when he talks about team goals and personal goals, he talks about reaching them as a member of the Phillies."

Reports that Harper is looking for an extension go back to December 2023, when Boras said Harper wanted to play "well beyond" his current contract.

Boras again indicated in December 2024 he had discussed a potential extension with Phillies owner John Middleton and manager Dave Dombrowski.

“There’s no question that, you know, those dynamics are being discussed. John and Dave have taken the time to talk to me about it. So we’re in a place where there’s very good communication and understanding of what’s going on," Boras said on Dec. 11, per Spencer McKercher of NBC Sports Philadelphia.

Earlier that day, Juan Soto and the New York Mets had set an MLB record by finalizing a 15-year, $765 million contract set to keep Soto in Queens through his age-40 season in 2039.

Soto's contract has a full no-trade clause, but does allow a potential opt-out after 2029 that can be voided by the team with an additional $40 million, per Spotrac.

Harper, in contrast, has no opt-outs built into his deal. His intention to finish his MLB career in Philadelphia seemed clear when he signed a 13-year, $330 million deal with the Phillies ahead of the 2019 season.

The contract, which includes a full no-trade clause, runs through Harper's age-38 season.

When asked about a potential extension in February, Harper told The Athletic's Matt Gelb: “I haven’t really thought too much about that. I want to be here for a long time — playing into my 40s. I mean, that’s the biggest thing for me. So I want to get that done.”

The Phillies could potentially add two more seasons to Harper's contract to bring the deal into his age-40 campaign, although Dombrowski said last December he has never re-negotiated with a player still under contract for multiple seasons, per MLB.com's Todd Zolecki.

Harper, who spent last year at first base after playing his first 11 seasons in the outfield, earned his eighth career All-Star nod as he slashed .285/.373/.525 with 30 home runs and 87 RBI. The Phillies will need to ensure the franchise's relationship with both him and Boras remains positive as the club looks to return to the top of the NL East in 2025.

Bryce Harper's affinity for the Phillie Phanatic has reached new heights.

The Philadelphia Phillies star recently received a tattoo of the team's mascot on his right arm. The new ink depicts the Phanatic riding its signature ATV.

Harper hasn't been shy about his love for the mascot, featuring it on his accessories both on and off the field throughout his tenure in Philadelphia.

The two-time National League MVP has also presented it with multiple birthday gifts.

Harper explained why he appreciates the Phanatic so much during a conversation with MLB.com's Todd Zolecki in June 2024.

"Even as an opposing player, I loved him," Harper said. "Just the way he interacted with the teams, players and fans. I always thought it was really cool. Then when I came over here, the affection grew. You just see him on a daily basis how he makes fans light up with the skits he does. He brings fun into the game."

The 32-year-old is coming off a successful 2024 campaign with the Phillies, earning the eighth All-Star nod of his career. He racked up 30 home runs, 42 doubles and 87 RBI in 145 games to go along with a .285/.373/.525 slash line.

As Harper prepares for his seventh season in Philadelphia, he took some time to get a new tattoo of the Phanatic.

Philadelphia Phillies veteran slugger Kyle Schwarber will be a free agent after the 2025 season, but he's hoping his time in the City of Brotherly Love extends beyond this year.

Per Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, Schwarber recently expressed his desire to receive a contract extension from the Phillies, but he's focused on trying to help the team win a World Series title.

"We’ll see," Schwarber said. "I know there’s interest on our side. We’ll see what happens throughout this camp, if they approach us and we get deeper and deeper into discussion. … The best line I’ve ever heard on that is from Jon Lester -- the best way to get paid is to win -- so I’ll just focus on that. It’s what I’ve always focused on."

The Phillies posted the second-best record in MLB in 2024 at 95-67, but they fell to the New York Mets in the National League Division Series in four games. Schwarber is coming off a strong season in which he hit .248 with 38 home runs and a career-high-tying 104 RBI.

While Philadelphia is expected to be competitive again this season, the team didn't make splashy changes to its roster this offseason like other NL powerhouses such as the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets. Still, Schwarber is confident that the Phillies will be able to put the pieces together to contend for a title this season.

"I feel like the pickups we’ve made have been quality," Schwarber said. "And obviously we lost some quality people, but at the end of the day, it’s going to come down to us. We know that we have a good team. ... It’s just going to come down to us to figure out a way to get to where we want to be."

The Philadelphia Phillies have reportedly added to their already strong rotation.

Per The Athletic's Matt Gelb, the Phillies traded 19-year-old shortstop Starlyn Caba to the Miami Marlins in return for starting pitcher Jesús Luzardo. Per MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, Philadelphia will also receive catcher prospect Paul McIntosh in the deal.

Per Spotrac, Luzardo has an estimated salary of $8.6 million for the 2025 season, bringing the Phillies estimated payroll to $243.407 million. Caba was on a one-year, $3 million deal a season ago but doesn't have a new contract for the 2025 season yet. The Marlins currently have $31.550 million in payroll allocations, per Spotrac.

Here's a look at the Phillies and Marlins' rotations after the trade.

Projected 2025 Phillies Rotation

1. Zack Wheeler
2. Aaron Nola
3. Cristopher Sánchez
4. Ranger Suárez
5. Jesús Luzardo

Projected 2025 Marlins Rotation

1. Sandy Alcántara
2. Ryan Weathers
3. Braxton Garrett
4. Edward Cabrera 
5. Max Meyer

Luzardo, 27, is coming off a year in which he recorded a 5.00 ERA and 1.25 WHIP across 12 starts for the Marlins. He landed on the injured list with an elbow injury in April before missing time later in the summer due to a back injury.

He told MLB.com's Christina De Nicola last week that he's "been able to go through my normal offseason progression" and is "feeling really good" in his back and elbow.

In his last healthy season in 2023, he had a 3.58 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP, picking up a career-high 208 strikeouts in 32 starts. The seven-year veteran has a 4.31 career ERA.

The Phillies posted the 11th-best ERA in the majors last year at 3.85 but seem dedicated to having one of the best rotations in baseball next season. Star ace Zack Wheeler had a career year a season ago, posting a 2.57 and 0.96 WHIP in his 32 starts. Aaron Nola had a 3.57 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in 2024.

Philadelphia has talented pitchers behind Wheeler and Nola with Cristopher Sánchez and Ranger Suárez, and the Phillies bolstered the rotation even further by adding Luzardo.

For the Marlins, they added another young piece as they continue their rebuild this offseason. Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter lists Caba as the No. 65 prospect and he could end up playing a big role for Miami in the near future.

The trade market for Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm has been colder than expected.

Buster Olney of ESPN reported it's believed that the lack of interest in Bohm can likely be attributed to his poor defense.

"So far, the Phillies' expected makeover hasn't happened," Olney wrote. "They signed Jason Romano for the bullpen, but it still needs more help, and the trade market has not been jumping at third baseman Alec Bohm; some evaluators speculate that this is because of concerns about his defense."

Bohm hit .280/.332/.448 with 15 home runs and 97 RBIs in 2024. This production earned him his first All-Star nod and he was a key piece of a Phillies team that went 95-67 and won the NL East. His defense was not elite as he did make 15 total errors to go with a fielding percentage of .960.

If Bohm stays with the Phils, he will undoubtedly remain a productive bat in the heart of the order under team control for two more seasons.

Should Dave Dombrowski and the front office choose to move him, it may have to come at something of a loss—at least in the near term.

While the Philadelphia Phillies could look to make some notable moves this offseason, one of those reportedly won't be trading third baseman Alec Bohm.

ESPN's Jeff Passan reported Thursday that "Philadelphia is steadfast in its contention that third baseman Alec Bohm isn't going anywhere, despite the Phillies' desire to reshape their roster."

This comes after Bohm's name has been included in trade rumors this offseason.

On Saturday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported the Athletics asked about Bohm only to stop discussions when the Phillies asked for star relief pitcher Mason Miller. What's more, Adam Jude of the Seattle Times reported earlier this month that the Seattle Mariners asked about the third baseman.

However, those discussions slowed when the Phillies "asked for one of the Mariners' top pitchers—Logan Gilbert or George Kirby."

At first glance, it makes sense why Philadelphia wouldn't want to trade Bohm. The 28-year-old was an All-Star last season and is under team control through 2026.

However, he was also benched during the playoffs and slashed .077/.143/.077 without a home run or RBI as the Phillies lost to the New York Mets in the Divisional Series.

It was a continuation of the struggles to end the season, as Bohm was a drastically different player after the All-Star break. According to FanGraphs, he slashed .295/.348/.482 with 11 home runs and 70 RBI in the first half of the season but saw those numbers drop to .251/.299/.382 with four home runs and 27 RBI in the second half.

Philadelphia surely believes the first-half player will return for the 2025 campaign if it is adamant about not trading Bohm. If that turns out to be the case, the team will be far better positioned to compete with the Mets and Atlanta Braves in the National League East.