After the Phillies’ 1-0 loss to the Miami Marlins on Tuesday, Bryce Harper didn’t mince words. “I think we need some help,” he said, calling for reinforcements ahead of the trade deadline. Given the Phillies have lost eight of their last 11 games, you’d think that this would be the common sentiment. But for interim manager Don Mattingly, Harper’s comments reflected only one voice in the clubhouse.

“I sense Bryce thinking about it. I don’t sense anybody else thinking about it, honestly,” Mattingly said, per Foul Territory on X. Not just that, he even made it clear that the roster discussions are a front office responsibility.

“Guys want to be a GM for what you need without a real understanding of where the organization is, exactly where this thing goes, not only this year, but moving forward,” Mattingly said.

“Players like being GMs and making calls and spending other people’s money. I’ll just let it go at that. I mean, Dave has been doing this a while. He’s never really backed away from trying to get guys. We’re trying to get better. We’re trying to get better at the deadline.”

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Bryce Harper has not been a favorite in the Philadelphia Phillies’ front office lately. Dating back to Dave Dombrowski’s comments last year that Harper was no longer “elite.” Also, Harper has already hinted at the possibility of roster changes even before Tuesday’s comments.

Speaking to Matt Gelb of The Athletic earlier this week, he said, “I brought my [outfield] glove just in case they make a trade.”

Nevertheless, the fact is that Harper’s words might have been insignificant to the interim manager, but it does have some truth to them. The Phillies have played a string of poor baseball, and this was seen once again in Miami.

They were up against the Marlins, a team who were already reeling from 12 straight losses at that time. Instead of clinching that win, the end result was the Marlins sweeping the Phillies on Wednesday, as Philadelphia blew its six-run lead.

Amid bouts of struggle at the plate, the Phillies lineup had sparked during the series finale. However, the pitching was a letdown, as the Marlins capitalized on Jesus Luzardo and an overtaxed bullpen to win the game 8-6.

The damage began in the fifth when Luzardo surrendered a home run to Heriberto Hernández. Having exhausted the best of his relievers on the last two days, Mattingly had Seth Johnson inheriting a seventh with runners on first and second.

He gave up the tying run as Xavier Edwards drove in two RBI single. Then, Jonathan Bowlan allowed the eventual winning home run to Griffin Conine in the next frame. It capped off yet another disappointing series for the Phillies.

But while addressing Harper’s remarks, Mattingly said those comments were not a reflection of what every player was thinking.

“Am I bothered? No. I just don’t like it for the fact of what I’ve been saying – that we don’t like our players that are here. I just don’t,” Mattingly reportedly said.

“I think you’re always trying to get better. You should always incrementally try to get better, no matter who you are. (Even) if you’re the Dodgers, and you’ve won two straight (championships). We’re trying to get better in different ways.”

Per reports from MLB.com, the Philly front office is pursuing more bats and arms before Monday’s 6 PM deadline. Their focus seems mostly on outfielders, like the Royals’ Lane Thomas and Starling Marte, the Blue Jays’ Daulton Varsho and the Giants’ Heliot Ramos.

Meanwhile, Dombrowski has indicated that most of these activities will take place right before the deadline.

In an interview with Gregg Murphy, the president of baseball operations shared, “I read this morning that there’s 22 clubs within 4 1/2 games of a postseason spot. I talked to one club today that says, ‘Well, we’re not so sure that we’re going to move people. We’ve gotten within 4 1/2 games now, so we’re going to wait even a few more days.’”

Another aspect to note is that Philadelphia’s farm system ranks among the bottom third. Probably that is why Dombrowski won’t have an issue trading prospects and receiving big-leaguers to get to the World Series for the first time since 2022.

“Dave Dombrowski never has been shy trading away prospects to acquire stars,” As Bob Nightengale had said. “He did that with Miguel Cabrera when he was with the Tigers. He did that with Chris Sale when he was with the Boston Red Sox.”

Another report suggests that the front office might be ready to move on rookie outfielder Gabriel Rincones Jr. He has struggled to seize an everyday opportunity despite receiving extended playing time against right-handed pitching.

As Mattingly pointed out, the Phillies aim to get better. And for him, the decisions are on the president of baseball operations, Dave Dombrowski, and the actual general manager, Preston Mattingly, his son.

Bryce Harper, himself is slashing .252/.357/.491 with a .848 OPS this season. His production has significantly dropped in July, as he drove only two homers compared to last month’s seven. But the star slugger never went around the back to decide anything.

When asked if he’s confident that the help is coming in, he noted that the question is for Dave Dombrowski to answer.

Ultimately, the necessity is not just in the lineup, but in a starter and a late-inning reliever. As the team pushes for it all, we will have to wait a few more days to meet with the new Phillies.