What happened: Bryce Harper said Philadelphia needed reinforcements after Tuesday's 1-0 loss in Miami. Don Mattingly said public calls for upgrades can sound like criticism of current players and left roster decisions to Dave Dombrowski.
Why it matters: Harper's $330 million contract gives his comments added weight as the Phillies assess a struggling lineup. Dombrowski has until Aug. 3 at 6 p.m. ET to make trades.
By the numbers: Philadelphia entered Wednesday ranked 24th in batting average, 30th in on-base percentage, 18th in slugging and 23rd in OPS. The Phillies were 3-8 since the All-Star break after scoring one run or fewer six times.
What to watch: Dombrowski's response before the deadline will show whether Philadelphia prioritizes another bat. The lineup's production remains the immediate test.