Last year (2022), Bryce Harper played the entire season despite a torn elbow. He became a DH and led the Phillies to the World Series.
Then he had surgery (Tommy John) to get back in shape.
In 2023, Harper returned as DH and took advantage of Rhys Hoskins’ injury to move to first base.
For what? Because it helped his arm, but also to free up the corners of the outfield. Nick Castellanos and Kyle Schwarber are already there normally.
There, in 2024, we wondered if Harper was going to return to the outfield or if he was going to stay at first base.
And the club decided that he was going to stay on the first cushion, where he did very well while learning a little about the job.
Harper, who is in Philly to stay, saw his bosses decide this. And when you take the time to think about it, it makes sense.
After all, if he had returned to the field, there would have been three guys for two positions (no one plays center). Result? On any given day, one of the three would have been the hitter of choice.
There, by having him at first base, the DH position is open. Dave Dombrowski therefore chose to fill his first cushion instead of his designated hitter position, quite simply.
That surely means Rhys Hoskins, who missed the entire season with a knee injury, is on his way out. Unless he wants to be a DH for a year to rebuild his value?
He was possibly close to a return to the World Series, which leads us to believe that it is not because of his state of health that he is far from Philly’s plans.
The Phillies will therefore have to add a hitter. Will it be a die-hard DH? A guy who will force a rotation at DH? An outfielder who will push Schwarber as a full-time DH?
- The Braves payroll will go up.
- Official: DBacks manager is here to stay.
- Joey Cora in the coaching staff in Detroit.
- Pat Murphy is well on his way to managing the Brewers.
- The most handsome men in baseball.
