Phillies make Bryce Harper outfield decision with trade deadline looming

The Philadelphia Phillies are a team that's going to buy at the MLB trade deadline on August 3. But, more specifically, they're looking to add more offensive firepower.

Ideally, the Phillies will add a right-handed hitter by this year's trade deadline. The issue is that the right-handed hitting market in the outfield, the biggest need on the roster, is not abundant.

So, why not move Bryce Harper to the outfield again and clear first base? That's something the Phillies have been rumored to have considered before. But, Tim Kelly of On Pattison reported the Phillies don't have any such plan this season, and Harper is fully expected to remain at first base this season.

Bryce Harper not expected to return to OF with trade deadline implications

"Dave Dombrowski just spoke. It's still pretty early for trade talks, with the deadline on August 3 this year," Kelly writes. "But from talking to him, it doesn't seem likely that Bryce Harper is going back to the outfield will be a consideration."

Harper moving back to the outfield, and clearing the way for the Phillies to sign or trade for a new first baseman, has been a popular talking point at times in recent years.

While they might've had the chance for such a change during the offseason, this update from Kelly seems to shut down the potential for such a switch mid-season.

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This shouldn't be a big surprise, as moving Harper's position in the middle of the season would be an overly aggressive and too risky move.

It would help open the door for more trade targets. For example, a Christian Walker of the Houston Astros or a Matt Chapman of the San Francisco Giants (with Alec Bohm moving to first) would work in such a scenario.

But, in reality, such a decision would be too large a risk to take with such an important player for the franchise.

While it might make sense on paper to move Harper to the outfield and clear the way for a trade, it's not likely to happen based on this update from Dombrowski.

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