Bryce Harper spoke with Rob Maaddi today and commented on where he and the Phillies currently stand in MLB Free Agency.

The Phillies have been relatively silent to start free agency and honestly, that’s okay…for now. There will be reason for concern if big name players such as Kris Bryant, Nick Castellanos, and Kyle Schwarber find new teams outside of Philadelphia. However until then, patience is a virtue for Phillies fans.

Read More: Phillies are in desperate need for a left fielder >>

When asked about those three players specifically, Harper said it would be a “downer” if the Phillies didn’t sign one of them. Maaddi asked Harper if he would continue to put pressure on the front office to make it happen. 

Bryce Harper’s Response

“They know the type of guys we need in this clubhouse. There’s a lot of players out there who are really, really, good. Some of them fit our team. Some of them fit the mold. Some of them don’t. I don’t see us going crazy on (Carlos) Correa or anything like that because it doesn’t make sense for us, right? But there’s a couple guys out there that would definitely make sense for us. They know that. I don’t need to reiterate that. The fan base knows that. The city of Philadelphia knows that. We definitely need somebody who gives us the best chance to win. When you get a caliber player like that, it brings the energy to the clubhouse that much more knowing your team is behind you, your organization is behind you and it gives you the best chance to win each night out there.” 

Basically, the short answer to Maaddi’s question is yes, Bryce Harper Is in fact putting pressure on the front office to do it and he’s absolutely correct in doing so.

The Phillies brought back Odubel Herrera, who will reportedly compete with Matt Vierling for the starting center field job or at the very least, platoon in center field, which certainly didn’t cut it last season. So yeah, as of now in free agency, everything is a “downer” for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Adding Kris Bryant to the Phillies makes the most sense. Bryce Harper is good friends with Bryant and was already been “stumping” for him to come to Philly. On top of that, Bryant is a dynamic player that can fill holes in multiple spots defensively.

It is however, pretty pathetic that Bryce Harper has to go out and ask ownership to build a winning baseball team leading into every season. Harper is the reigning MVP of the National League and wants to win a World Series. He’s a team leader that understands what’s needed for the Phillies to break their current decade-long playoff drought.

Honestly, ownership needs to get it together and prevent their own players from asking to help them win.

Unfortunately, that’s not where we currently stand so if Bryce Harper wants the Phillies to go out and ask to bring in a big name baseball player, John Middleton and Dave Dombrowski need to listen and bend over backwards to ensure that’s exactly what happens.

It worked with the Phillies re-signing JT Realmuto last season and needs to work again bringing in a Kris Bryant type of talent level before Spring Training starts on Friday.

Mandatory Credit: The Philadelphia Phillies