The Philadelphia Phillies saw Bryce Harper move back to the outfield this year when the opportunity to help the offense by adding Luis Arraez presented itself.
Harper himself volunteered to do so near the trade deadline if it meant the Phillies could improve the team. However, Arraez is now a free agent, and the Phillies have to find new ways to improve their offense. They will seemingly be looking for outfielders, as Don Mattingly recently noted that the plan is for Harper to return to first base.
"I think the plan is that Bryce is going to play first base," Mattingly said on MLB Tonight. "We don't feel like at this age he should be out in the outfield all of the time. If we ask Bryce to play the outfield 10, 12 or 15 times a year, I think that's something he's good with, knowing that he probably needs to be at first base. Actually, get him more designated hitter days."
Harper did not get many opportunities at designated hitter because of Kyle Schwarber. However, if the Phillies want to get him off his feet, Schwarber will need to play the field.
"We talked about Schwarber being able to play first base 25, 30 or 35 times a year to be able to get Bryce DHing. I think we need to be able to use our pieces as best we can, in all different ways to give us some versatility, but also try to get the most out of those guys."
The Phillies won't need Harper in the outfield again even if they do bring back Arraez. If Alec Bohm walks, Harper can still play first base, and the Phillies can add a right fielder in free agency.
However, it seems like Schwarber won't simply be locked into the designated hitter spot next year. The team understands that Harper is also an aging player who needs some days where he's not in the field.