CLEARWATER, Fla. — Bryce Harper wants to finish his career with the Philadelphia Phillies , playing into his 40s and perhaps gloving a throw at first base for the final out of a World Series.
Harper arrived at spring training on Sunday, and the two-time NL MVP said he accepts his move to first from the outfield, a makeshift decision last year that got him back on the field following Tommy John surgery.
He has seven years and $196 million left on his $330 million, 13-year contract, a relative bargain with a $25.4 million average salary that ranks 19th among current players.
“I want to be here for a long time and understand playing into my 40s, that’s the biggest thing for me,” the 31-year-old said Sunday in the Phillies’ spring training clubhouse. “So I wanted to get that done.”
After 11 seasons as an outfielder, Harper moved to first last year when he returned from Tommy John surgery on Nov. 23, 2022. Back as a designated hitter on May 2, Harper started playing first on July 21 and had 36 starts there, plus 13 in the playoffs.