
The New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies both have two of the highest payrolls in the MLB this year. But the two arch-rivals are both lying at the bottom of the National League East. At the same time, the Mets are coping with Francisco Lindor on the IL. Meanwhile, Bryce Harper made a slow start to the season after a public spat with the Phillies’ front office during the winter.
Sports radio host Evan Roberts of WFAN 660 suggests the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies could try an earth-shattering trade deal to salvage their respective seasons. The Mets could send Lindor to the Phillies in exchange for Bryce Harper. Both players are of similar age, with comparable salaries and exactly the same duration on their contracts.
“They’re signed for the same amount of time. They both are signed until 2031,” Roberts said. “Now Lindor’s making a few million dollars more per year. He’s making $32.4 [million]; Bryce is at $27.5 [million]. May have to pay off the difference.
Evan explains why he actually would do a Francisco Lindor a Bryce Harper trade@EvanRobertsWFAN pic.twitter.com/hSSuo5BepF
— WFAN Sports Radio (@WFAN660) April 30, 2026
“It’d almost be saying, ‘Hey, we’ve got these two iconic-level players, basically the same age, basically with similar contracts. Maybe let’s just shake it up.'”
Bryce Harper joined the Phillies on a 13-year, $330 million contract in 2019. Lindor signed a 10-year, $341 million extension with the Mets ahead of the 2021 campaign.
Evan Roberts believes Francisco Lindor will become an increasing liability for the New York Mets unless he switches to another role defensively in the latter years of his contract. But Bryce Harper will be a great fit for the team because the Mets are lacking a genuine first baseman.
“From a baseball standpoint, Bryce Harper’s a first baseman, and he’s figured it out. He’s pretty good over there,” Roberts said. “Lindor’s going to be an aging shortstop. What do you do with aging shortstops? You move them over to a different position.”
Following a slow start to the season, Bryce Harper has a .321/.419/.564 over his last 22 games with four home runs, 15 RBIs, and a .983 OPS. Meanwhile, Lindor landed on the IL with a calf strain last month. He was batting .226/.314/.355 for the season with a 90 OPS+ at the time of his injury.
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