Angels should dream impossibly big with Bryce Harper trade if Phillies create offseason chaos

The Phillies are a team in disarray after yet another disastrous exit from the postseason. Philadelphia dropped a Wild Card series to their division rival Atlanta Braves, and now are left with an aging, expensive roster that reached their peak several years ago. If there was ever a time for them to off-load Bryce Harper, it is this offseason, and Los Angeles Angels fans would welcome him with open arms if their ownership group and front office could pull off a blockbuster trade to pair Harper with Mike Trout in Anaheim.

For years, Angels fans have been subjugated to demands by Phillies fans, who wanted Trout traded to his hometown team. Well, the tables might have finally turned after yet another Phillies playoff flameout! How about YOU trade US Bryce Harper, huh?

Philadelphia has players like Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner, Jesús Luzardo, Aaron Nola and Cristopher Sanchez signed for many more years at extremely high AAVs. Zack Wheeler has one-year, $42 million remaining, and J.T. Realmuto has two-years, $30 million remaining. If any team is going to off-load a star for cap and rebuilding purposes, it's the Phillies. Meanwhile, the Angels had the biggest ownership upgrade in North American sports history after Stan Kroenke replaced Arte Moreno as the majority shareholder. Things are looking up for the Angels, and things are looking down for the Phillies.

Angels may not be a farfetched suitor for Bryce Harper if the Phillies get crazy this offseason

Harper does have a no-trade clause, but perhaps the notion of playing with Trout would entice him to waive it-- especially if things become contentious between him and the Phillies given the state of that beleaguered organization. Trout and Harper are two of the best players of their generation and have long-been compared to one another. They have been teammates on Team USA together. They are not best friends by any means, but there is clearly mutual respect present.

Harper is signed through 2031 and Trout through 2030, so they ostensibly would end their careers as teammates if the Angels were to land Harper. The soon-to-be 34-year-old Harper makes ~$25 million a year for the next five years, which rightfully would cause fear in Angels fans given the team's history of high-priced veterans flaming out in Anaheim. However, the Angels do not have a single player other than Trout on a guaranteed contract after the 2027 season right now.

It goes without saying that Harper would be a massive upgrade to the Angels roster. The Angels had the worst OPS in baseball, whereas Harper posted the eighth-best OPS (.865) amongst qualified National League hitters in 2026. Trout indicated that he is willing to move from centerfield to left field, so the Angels could potentially have Trout and Harper as their corner outfielders next season (Harper primarily played right field after the Phillies added Luis Arraez to play first base at the trade deadline). Obviously, Trout and Harper would routinely filter in as designated hitters as well.

Kroenke has deep pockets and could help alleviate the Phillies cap concerns by taking on the majority of Harper's contract through 2031. If they were to do so, the Angels might not need to send back the greatest of returns to acquire the nine-time All-Star and two-time MVP. Think of something along the lines of the return the Red Sox got back for the Giants to take on the entirety of the Rafael Devers contract (Kyle Harrison, Jordan Hicks, James Tibbs and Jose Bello).

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