Bryce Harper parts ways with Phillies teammate who never lived up to expectations

Bryce Harper knows the Philadelphia Phillies need to make adjustments if they want to keep improving in the 2025 season. One of those moves came recently, as the team parted ways with a player who never quite became the everyday starter many had hoped—even though he spent most of four seasons on the roster.

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Phillies have traded Kody Clemens to the Minnesota Twins. Clemens joined the team in 2023 and appeared in just 97 games across two seasons, logging fewer than 300 plate appearances with nine home runs.

It’s not a major loss for the Phillies or for Harper—Clemens wasn’t a core piece of the lineup—but he was a versatile option who could contribute both in the infield and outfield when needed. The team now waits to see what they’ll receive in return for the deal.

Clemens bids farewell to Philadelphia

Shortly after the trade was reported, Clemens took to social media to say goodbye to the Phillies and thank the organization for the opportunity, expressing gratitude for his time in Philadelphia.

Bryce Harper #3 and Kody Clemens #2 of the Philadelphia Phillies look on during the fourth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Citizens Bank Park on May 07, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

“Thank you Philly! It was an amazing chapter in my book! Thankful for all the memories and the relationships I created over the past 3 seasons! Extremely excited for this new opportunity in Minnesota! Let’s go Twins!”

Where do the Phillies need to improve?

While their defense in both the infield and outfield has held up well, the Phillies still need to strengthen the bullpen—an issue that’s lingered since the start of the season. Harper and the rest of the core have done their part, but help on the mound remains a priority moving forward.