"Bryce Harper is 32, had a bad back" - MLB sportscaster against idea of Phillies star returning to outfield even with a Christian Walker arrival

Bryce Harper spent most of his career in the outfield but transitioned to first base two years ago. This offseason presents his team, the Philadelphia Phillies, an opportunity to sign an All-Star caliber first baseman like Christian Walker or Pete Alonso.

Of course, that would require Harper to move back to the outfield, but MLB sportscaster Chris Rose believes that's a bad idea.

During Tuesday's episode of "Baseball Today" along with former MLB third baseman Trevor Plouffe, Rose floated the idea on whether the Phillies should sign someone like Walker or Alonso and in retrospect ask Bryce Harper to move back to the outfield. While Plouffe said that he would consider the idea, Rose believes it may not be such a good idea after all.

"I'm not doing it, and Dave Dombrowski doesn’t sound like he’s saying, ‘Hey, hey, that’s interesting.’ I think he’s more like, ‘Boy, that might be the last resort,'" Rose said (37:00 onwards). "The outfield is done, in my opinion. He became a Gold Glove finalist at first base, so he’s far from a liability — he’s a benefit over there.

"I want him in the lineup for 150 games, and first base is the easiest option. I still don’t like it. He’s 32, he’s had a bit of a bad back. It’s a no. It’s a no, dog. I wouldn’t even give it a thought."

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Trevor Plouffe believes it's worth to ask Bryce Harper to go back play outfield

Contrary to what Chris Rose believes, Trevor Plouffe believes that Bryce Harper would do anything that would help the team even if that means adjusting to outfield again.

"Yeah, if it makes sense like that—if they go out and sign, you know, whoever, like Christian Walker or maybe if Pete Alonso is on their radar—then, yeah, I think Bryce would be open to it," Plouffe said (35:30 onwards). "It’s taken him some time to get used to first base, and that’s a difficult adjustment, but knowing the kind of guy Bryce is, he just wants to win. He’ll do whatever is best for the team.

"So, if they find themselves in a position where they say, ‘Hey, we’ve got a chance to sign this guy. He’s ready to go. What do you think?’ there’s no question in my mind that Bryce would say, ‘Okay, I’ll move back out there.’"

The Phillies definitely need some top acquisitions this offseason, especially in terms of power. Pete Alonso and Christian Walker are the perfect candidates, but they will be in demand from other teams too, raising the stakes for the Phillies.