Bryce Harper was caught off guard by Dave Dombrowski's comments

“I mean, I don't get motivated by that kind of stuff. For me, it was kind of wild, the whole situation of that happening,” Harper said to Devan Kaney of 94.1 WIP. “I think the big thing for me was, when we first met with this organization, it was, 'hey, you know, we're always going to keep things in house, and we expect you to do the same thing.' And so, when that didn't happen, kind of took me for a run a little bit. So I don't know, it's, it's part of it, I guess, it's kind of kind of a wild situation. You know, that even happening? Obviously I didn't have the year that I wanted. Obviously I didn't have the postseason I wanted. My numbers weren't where they where they needed to be. I know that. And I don't need to be motivated to be great in my career or anything else. So that's just not a motivating factor for me. For Dave to come out and say those things, it's kind of wild to me still.”

Harper had a productive season outside of missing time with a wrist issue, hitting .261 with an OPS of .844 and 27 home runs in 132 games. 

Comments will add fuel to Harper's fire despite his downplaying their impact

Even though Harper won’t let it on, these comments will motivate him to do better this season, as Harper was wearing a “Not Elite” shirt while working in the batting cages.

What will also add fuel to the eight-time All-Star and former Home Run Derby Champion is the All-Star Game being in the City of Brotherly Love, as Harper would love to represent his team in its home city.

Entering the eighth year of his 13-year ($330 million) contract, and 33 years old, Harper is running out of time to be the man who brings another title to Philadelphia.