Bryce Harper comes home in trade

In a big early season trade the Athletics have brought back one of the greatest players in franchise history. GM Matt Veasey sent a package of third baseman Eugenio Suarez, young pitcher Shane Baz, and prospect outfielder Cam Smith to defending champion Detroit. In return, Bryce Harper was brought back to become the club's new first baseman.

In addition, the Athletics will receive Detroit's first round Minors Draft pick in 2027 as well as one Majors Draft pick in both 2026 and 2027.

The now 32-year-old Harper is second on the franchise all-time Hits, Runs, Home Runs, and RBIs lists, sixth on the Stolen Bases rankings. 

Beginning a major rebuild program back in March 2011, the Athletics GM originally obtained Harper as part of a five-player deal with Montreal. Then in early 2012 both Harper and Mike Trout made their WFBL debut in the same week. The pair remained with the club for over a decade, becoming 1-2 on those franchise all-time leaderboards. 

Dealt away to begin a new rebuilding program in 2022, as Trout had been a few months earlier, Harper went on to help lead Detroit to the WFBL Championship a year ago. Now he rejoins Trout, who returned this past off-season. 

"This is one more move in our plan to return to the postseason and contending status this year," said Veasey. "Suarez was going to be a backup here, and Smith was blocked by a glut of young outfielders in our system. Baz was a real difficult arm to let go. But you have to pay a price to add a proven superstar like Bryce. We're ecstatic to have him back with us."

Harper will immediately take over at first base, as a day after re-obtaining Harper the Athletics GM moved Torkelson to Detroit in a separate deal. That trade happened when the Drillers suffered an injury to first baseman Freddie Freeman the day after moving Harper. 

In this second trade the A's GM obtained the Drillers first round Minors Draft pick in 2028 as well as a Majors Draft pick in each of the next two seasons.

The overall impact of the combined deals sees Harper arrive and the A's pick up control of the Drillers first round Minors picks in both 2027 and 2028. They also add two Majors Draft picks in both 2026 and 2027. Torkelson, Suarez, Baz and Smith all head to the Motor City.

"Spence had a solid spring and was off to a nice start this season," said manager Mark DeRosa. "But when you have a chance to add a superstar talent like Bryce...well, we're happy to add him to the mix. Everyone knows how impactful he is, both on and off the field."

"It's pretty crazy," said Harper. "I heard rumors during the winter that Philly was trying to bring me back. I really didn't think this would ever happen. It was obviously great being with Detroit and winning another title. But Philly is home, for me and my family. And to be back with Mike, JT, Trea as well? Crazy man. This is a very talented club. The new young guys in that outfield? Man, we're gonna do some damage."

The move had the Athletics locker room buzzing as they continue to do battle with Montreal in Week 2 of the 2025 campaign. For his part, Torkelson was diplomatic. "I'm just going to keep doing what I've been doing. It's been a good spring. Detroit is giving me an opportunity to continue that going forward. It's up to me to keep pushing myself."

Cleary the A's are a major contender. Getting the starting pitching rotation healthy is the main priority now. But one look at their powerful lineup, where last season's WFBL Rookie of the Year runner-up Jackson Chourio is the only remaining starter from a year ago, tells you how far this team has come in a short time.

The rebuilding plan is clearly over in Philadelphia.