By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
In the midst of the speculation of how the Philadelphia Phillies' meeting with Bryce Harper, his family, and agent Scott Boras went on Saturday, another reported development may be just another sign that the superstar outfielder will play for the team next season.
According to 97.3 ESPN's Frank Klose, Phillies right-handed pitcher Vince Velasquez is in the process of switching his jersey number, from 28 to 21.
Velasquez has no clear attachment to No. 21 that would explain him — who will enter his fourth season with the Phillies and fifth overall in 2019 — to suddenly change his number. Five different Phillies have donned No. 28 in the Citizens Bank Park era: Velasquez (2016-18), Kevin Correia (2015), Erik Kratz (2015), Kevin Frandsen (2012-13) and Jayson Werth (2007-10).
Interestingly enough, the Harper family is close with both the Frandsens and Werths. All three played together with the Washington Nationals in 2014. Frandsen has since returned to the Phillies as a radio broadcaster, and had his role increased early last month. Around that time, Frandsen joined SportsRadio 94 WIP's Joe Giglio and said Harper would "thrive" at Citizens Bank Park, given Phillies fans' demand for passion.
"There's a true passion he has for the game that I think would fit in just perfect there," he said.
Last August, when Werth returned to Citizens Bank Park for the 10-year reunion of the 2008 championship team, he was asked what he would tell Harper about Philadelphia. Werth replied:
"I think he's already asked me about Philadelphia." …
"Isn't that tampering?" he said, laughing. Then he replied: "It’s a great place to hit. I’ve always loved hitting here. I’ve shared that among other things about this place. He’s a dynamic player for sure."
Why Velasquez would choose to lower his number by 7 is not clear. He did wear Ryan Howard's No. 6 in his youth playing days, however, and ironically, Harper's and the late Roy Halladay's No. 34 with the Houston Astros' then-Class A-Advanced affiliate, the Lancaster JetHawks.
Frandsen said in his SportsRadio 94 WIP appearance the No. 34 jersey would look "pretty good" on Harper in red pinstripes. The Phillies may have plans to retire the number this season, however, with Halladay projected to be announced as a first-ballot Hall of Famer on Jan. 22.
"The No. 34 jersey being the last to wear it was [Halladay], and I think that would look pretty good on him there."
Harper has worn No. 34 for most his his professional career, or any combination of numbers that add to seven in honor of his idol, Mickey Mantle. Given his buddies in Frandsen and Werth both played for the Phillies wearing No. 28, and with No. 34 likely unavailable, Velasquez freeing up No. 28 could very well be in preparation of a Harper signing.
