Bryce Harper reportedly had some strong words for Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred during a recent meeting between the league office and the Philadelphia Phillies.
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AP Photo/Ben Margot
According to a report from ESPN's Jeff Passan, Harper became visibly frustrated when the conversation turned toward the economics of the sport. Manfred, who visits all 30 teams during the season in an effort to improve communication with players, did not use the term "salary cap," but the direction of the discussion sparked pushback from the Phillies star.
Harper, who had stayed mostly silent during the meeting, eventually cut in with a blunt warning. "If you want to speak about that, you can get the f— out of our clubhouse," Harper reportedly told Manfred.
Harper also told the commissioner that players "are not scared to lose 162 games" if team owners pursue a salary cap — a long-contentious topic that has divided players and ownership for years. MLB remains the only major North American pro sport without one.
Players argue a salary cap would benefit owners more than teams, increasing franchise values while doing little to resolve the growing payroll gap across the league.
Manfred declined to leave the meeting and said he welcomed open dialogue about baseball's long-term future. Outfielder Nick Castellanos helped defuse the exchange, and Harper and Manfred later shook hands.
"It was pretty intense, definitely passionate," Castellanos told ESPN. "Both of 'em, the commissioner giving it back to Bryce and Bryce giving it back to the commissioner. That's Harp. He's been doing this since he was 15 years old. It's just another day. I wasn't surprised."
The league's current collective bargaining agreement expires Dec. 1, 2026. The salary cap debate is expected to be a central issue in the next round of negotiations.
Harper, a two-time MVP and one of MLB's most recognizable figures, has been outspoken on labor issues throughout his career.
