Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper confronted MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred during a team meeting last week, telling him to \"get the f--- out of our clubhouse\" when discussion turned to potential salary cap implementation. ESPN reported the confrontation Monday, citing sources familiar with the hour-long meeting between Manfred and the team.
The heated exchange occurred during one of Manfred\'s annual visits to all 30 MLB teams. While Manfred never explicitly mentioned a salary cap, sources said discussion about the game\'s economics triggered Harper\'s outburst. The two-time National League MVP grew frustrated and stood up to face Manfred directly.
Harper, sitting with a bat during the meeting, warned that players \"are not scared to lose 162 games\" if MLB proposed a salary cap. The confrontation escalated when Harper walked to the middle of the room and delivered his profanity-laced ultimatum to the commissioner.
\"If you want to speak about that, you can get the f--- out of our clubhouse,\" Harper told Manfred, according to sources.
Manfred responded that he would not leave, saying it was important to discuss threats to MLB\'s business. Veteran outfielder Nick Castellanos eventually defused the tension by asking more questions, allowing the meeting to continue.
The incident highlights growing tensions ahead of the current collective bargaining agreement\'s expiration on December 1, 2026. Multiple owners have advocated for implementing a salary cap, while the MLB Players Association vehemently opposes such measures as \"institutionalized collusion.\"
\"Rob seems to be in a pretty desperate place on how important it is to get this salary cap because he\'s floating the word lockout two years in advance,\" Castellanos told ESPN.
Harper and Manfred eventually shook hands before the meeting concluded, though Harper declined the commissioner\'s phone calls the following day. Both Harper and Manfred declined comment when contacted by ESPN.
Via Jeff Passan/ESPN
