Bryce Harper isn’t concerned about slowing down, even as he and the Philadelphia Phillies’ core group get older. Despite advancing age, Harper remains optimistic about his personal performance and the team’s future.
The Phillies were eliminated from the NLDS by the New York Mets in four games, falling short after winning the NL East for the first time since 2011. Although they reached the World Series in 2022, their playoff results have declined each year since, raising concerns about postseason regression.
Harper, who joined the Phillies on a 13-year, $330 million deal before the 2019 season, has established himself as the team’s leader and remains one of the top players in the league. His focus is on maintaining a high level of play and driving the Phillies back to championship contention.
Bryce Harper’s bold claim after Phillies’ elimination puts NL East on notice
Harper believes his prime years are still ahead of him, despite the Phillies’ early loss from the 2024 playoffs.
“This is going to be a crazy answer, but I think my prime is for the next 10 years,” Harper said after the Phillies’ Game 4 defeat to the Mets, according to Paul Casella of MLB.com. “You understand what I’m saying?” I don’t believe I’m weakening in any manner.
Harper finished seventh in the majors with 42 doubles, 10th in on-base percentage and OPS, and 12th in slugging. He had 30 home runs and 87 RBI while missing only 17 games this season due to injuries sustained the previous two years.
Time is a factor, but the soon-to-be 32-year-old shows no signs of slowing. He was named to his eighth All-Star Game and nominated for All-MLB accolades.
Bryce Harper believes the Phillies’ core group can still win a championship
Harper believes the team’s World Series window is still open.
“We’ve just got to be better,” Harper told NBC Sports Philadelphia. “I’ve got to finish this task. I mean, obviously, we have a tremendous group of guys in here, a really good core — we just weren’t able to finish the job.”
The championship window isn’t closed, but the Phillies’ big-money core is aging and nearing the end of their deals. J.T. Realmuto and Kyle Schwarber have one more year on their contracts, Nick Castellanos is signed until the 2026 season, and Zack Wheeler will not be a free agency until 2028.
Aaron Nola, Trea Turner, and Harper all have long-term contracts that run through 2030 or later.
Harper may still have many productive years ahead of him, and the World Series window for this core bunch may not be closed, but it is obviously closing, and it is happening fast.
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