MLB Insider Wildly Suggests Phillies Trade Either Bryce Harper or Kyle Schwarber After Wild Card Elimination

The Philadelphia Phillies suffered a first-round exit in the playoffs as they lost 2-1 in the National League Wild Card Series against the Atlanta Braves.

MLB Insider Wildly Suggests Phillies Trade Either Bryce Harper or Kyle Schwarber After Wild Card Elimination

Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber (Image via X/@Underdog/X/@TalkinBaseball_)

This past Thursday marked a 3rd straight season in which the Philadelphia Phillies had an early playoff exit. Following their elimination from the National League Wild Card Series against the Atlanta Braves, an MLB insider wildly suggested the team trade either Bryce Harper or Kyle Schwarber.

The NL East side had a tough start to the season, which cost manager Rob Thompson his job. He was let go from his position following a 9-19 record.

Ultimately, the team did make it to the playoffs with an 88-74 record. They then lost Game 1 and were staring at elimination in Game 2 until back-to-back home runs from Schwarber and Harper in the 8th inning tied the game. A 10th-inning home run from Alec Bohm helped them win 4-3 and forced Game 3.

In the do-or-die game, they fell behind early. A 3-run home run from Michael Harris II in the first inning pulled the momentum in favor of the Braves. Eventually, they ran out as 6-2 winners and eliminated their division rivals from the first round of the playoffs.

Harper later made some candid remarks regarding the future of the team. While speaking with NBC Sports Philadelphia, the right fielder expressed that the team could look a lot different next year.

I imagine this team’s going to look a lot different next year with the guys that are kinda leaving this clubhouse.

Bryce Harper told NBC Sports Philadelphia

At the moment, stars like Bohm, Luis Arreaz, and Jose Alvarado are expected to depart through free agency. However, the big question is regarding their aging core.

Harper will turn 34 later this month. Meanwhile, Schwarber, Nola, and Trea Turner are all 33. Catcher J.T. Realmuto is 35, while ace pitcher Zack Wheeler is 36.

After their elimination, MLB insider Ken Rosenthal came up with a wild suggestion. He called for the Phillies to make some changes and at least “kick around the idea” of trading either Harper or Schwarber.

The Phillies at least need to kick around the idea of trading one of them. Actually following through, though, would be another matter, given Middleton’s affection for both players.

Ken Rosenthal wrote in The Athletic

Trading away either of them is not as simple as it sounds. Harper has a full no-trade clause after he decided on no opt-outs in his mega 13-year, $330 million deal, while Schwarber has 10-and-5 Rights.

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Phillies reportedly will gracefully part ways with Don Mattingly after Wild Card Loss

Whether the Philadelphia Phillies will trade either of their big names remains to be seen. One man whose future has been decided, though, is Don Mattingly. As per reports, the team will gracefully part ways with the veteran after their Wild Card loss.

Phillies' Don Mattingly
Don Mattingly (Image via X/@MLBONFOX)

The 65-year-old was named the interim manager of the team following the exit of Rob Thompson. From a 9-19 record, he was able to save the team’s season and take them to the playoffs, going 79-55 in the regular season.

However, the team did limp a bit in September. They went 10-14 and almost blew the lead in the NL Wild Card standings.

As per reports from Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Mattingly will not be brought back. The team will part ways with him as the interim manager but give him the option to stay on as an advisor.

So, the question now is: who will be the manager of the Phillies going forward? The name of Alex Cora has floated around in some social media conversations. Only time will tell who takes over this position.

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