Philadelphia Phillies rumors: Bryce Harper pushing for Kris Bryant
By Kevin Henry
As MLB free agency ramps back up following the end of the lockout, Kris Bryant has plenty of teams that are hoping to acquire his services for the 2022 season and beyond. However, his good friend and fellow resident of Las Vegas, Bryce Harper, is hoping that Bryant will be a part of the Philadelphia Phillies lineup when the team opens play at home on April 8 against the Oakland A’s.
Bryce Harper is reportedly pushing for the Philadelphia Phillies to sign Kris Bryant as MLB free agency restarts after the lockout
According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, Harper is hoping to see Bryant in a Philadelphia Phillies uniform, but the insider acknowledges that the Phillies aren’t the only team looking to land the former National League Most Valuable Player.
NL MVP Bryce Harper is stumping for good friend/Vegas neighbor Kris Bryant in Philly. Harper pull helped keep Realmuto. Phils have needs but also options (Schwarber, Conforto, Castellanos, etc.) KB does fit, either for 3B and/or OF. He, too, has options: Sea, Colo, SD, NYM, more
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 11, 2022
As Heyman mentioned in his tweet, not only does Bryant have plenty of other options for where he could continue his MLB career, but the Phillies are also seeing which players would best suit their current needs. Reports say that the Phillies were close to signing Bryant’s former teammate, Kyle Schwarber, before the MLB lockout went into place.
Will Philadelphia continue on that path and sign Schwarber, who would likely spend time as the team’s designated hitter while seeing time in left field as well? Or could the team spend that money on Bryant, who could play infield or outfield as well as spend time as the DH?
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The answer to that question could come down to how much pull Harper has in helping build the team around him as he is in the midst of a massive contract with the Phillies. If he can not only bring in a close friend but also someone who could help Philadelphia reach the postseason for the first time since 2011, it could be a win-win for all involved.