On Tuesday, Philadelphia Phillies star first baseman Bryce Harper said he thinks the Phillies “need some help” ahead of the trade deadline.
On Wednesday, Philadelphia manager Don Mattingly responded to Harper’s comment.
Phillies Manager Don Mattingly Responds to Bryce Harper
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JULY 14: Interim manager Don Mattingly #8 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on before the 2026 MLB All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park on July 14, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Mattingly was asked if he was bothered by Harper’s comments.
The Phillies manager said he wasn’t bothered but added that he didn’t like what Harper said.
“I don’t like it from the fact of what I’ve always been saying, that you’re saying that we don’t like our players that are here. I think you should always try to get better no matter who you are… but when you say something about our team, then you’re saying something about one of our players that you don’t like.”
Phillies Struggling Right Now
GettyMIAMI, FLORIDA – JULY 28: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after grounding out in the eighth inning during a game against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on July 28, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Sam Navarro/Getty Images)
The Phillies have had a very up-and-down season. The team began the year with a rough 9-19 record, prompting the front office to fire manager Rob Thompson. Mattingly took over as the interim manager.
Philadelphia has performed much better since firing Thompson. The club entered the All-Star break with a 54-43 record.
However, the Phillies have struggled since returning from the All-Star break, losing eight of 11 games.
GettyMIAMI, FLORIDA – JULY 28: Aaron Nola #27 of the Philadelphia Phillies exits the game against the Miami Marlins during the sixth inning at loanDepot Park on July 28, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Sam Navarro/Getty Images)
Philadelphia is still very much in the postseason race, as the club holds the second National League Wild Card spot with a 57-51 record.
As for the division standings, the Phillies are six games back of the first-place Atlanta Braves in the National League East.
Even though the Phillies are six games above .500, they don’t look like heavyweights like the Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers and Braves. Philadelphia has a -13 run differential, which is worse than the run differentials of the Washington Nationals (+31), Miami Marlins (+4), Pittsburgh Pirates (+40) and Arizona Diamondbacks (-3), all teams with worse records than the Phillies.
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JULY 26: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after an out in the top of the sixth inning against the New York Yankees at Citizens Bank Park on July 26, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Yankees 11-4. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
While the Phillies are likely to make the postseason, the club has clear needs ahead of the deadline.
Paul Casella of MLB.com highlighted the Phillies’ needs before the Aug. 3 deadline:
- A high-leverage, late-inning reliever
- No. 5 starter
- A right-handed-hitting outfielder
Harper wasn’t wrong to suggest the Phillies need help. Mattingly just would’ve preferred the first baseman had kept his thoughts to himself. But from Harper’s perspective, he may believe his comment could put pressure on Philadelphia’s front office to add the help the team needs at the deadline.
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