Bryce Harper Sends Message After Off-Field Announcement

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin Groe | Last updated Feb 18, 2026 7:56 PM ET

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper has had quite the eventful offseason, and now he has officially arrived at spring training preparing for another MLB season.

Harper has built one of the strongest reputations in baseball as a two‑time MVP, former Rookie of the Year, eight‑time All‑Star and four‑time Silver Slugger across his 14‑year career.

Last season, he did not quite reach the MVP-level he has shown in the past, though he still produced at an elite rate. The 33‑year‑old posted a .261 batting average, .357 on‑base percentage, .844 OPS, 27 home runs and 75 RBIs across 132 games.

Even so, Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said he was not sure whether Harper could return to being “elite,” a comment Harper admitted earlier this week was frustrating to hear.

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (3)© Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Regardless, his offseason has been busy, and he will not be in camp for long before reporting to Team USA for the upcoming World Baseball Classic.

Along with his on‑field preparation, another storyline this winter involved Harper’s long‑standing partnership with Under Armour, a relationship that has lasted more than a decade.

In January, Harper agreed to a new deal to remain with the brand, and earlier this February Under Armour announced a new pair of signature cleats: the UA Harper 10 “Mad House,” a special player‑edition release.

The shoe was unveiled earlier this month, but that did not stop Harper from promoting yet another version on Instagram on Wednesday. “Welcome to my Mad House! ,” Harper wrote, sharing a video showcasing the colorful design.

Harper will likely debut the cleats soon with opening day just weeks away. His goal this season remains the same as always: chasing the one accomplishment missing from his career, a World Series title.

Time is not running out just yet, but he is entering the later stages of his prime, and the urgency is naturally increasing. He has six years remaining on the 13‑year, $330 million contract he signed with Philadelphia in 2019.

If the Phillies are finally going to break through, they will once again need Harper to set the tone as the face of the franchise and the heartbeat of their lineup.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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