Getty Rhys Hoskins
After a season-ending injury during last year’s spring training shook the trajectory of his career with the Philadelphia Phillies, first baseman Rhys Hoskins has agreed to a two-year, $34 million deal with the Milwaukee Brewers, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
The contract will include an opt-out after the first season.
BREAKING: First baseman Rhys Hoskins and the Milwaukee Brewers are finalizing a two-year, $34 million contract with an opt-out after the first season, sources tell ESPN.
Hoskins’ 2023 campaign was over before it began, with the 30-year-old suffering a torn ACL during spring training and landing on the injured list for the entire season. This blow came after the power hitter played a crucial role in the Philadelphia Phillies’ 2022 deep playoff campaign, recording six home runs and 12 RBIs.
In the 2022 regular season, Hoskins posted a .246 batting average with 30 home runs and 79 RBIs in 156 games. He led the Phillies in doubles (33) and ranked second in OBP (.332), runs (81), hits (145), and home runs, but his injury taking him out for the entirety of 2023 meant his role on the team quickly became unclear.
Hoskins became a free agent after the 2023 season, with the Phillies declining to make a qualifying offer and thereby ending the first baseman’s 10-year tenure with the franchise.
Inside Hoskins’ Deal With the Brewers
According to Passan, the Brewers have landed Hoskins on a two-year, $34 million deal with an opt-out after the 2024 season. Since the Phillies declined to make a qualifying offer at the end of 2023, Hoskins is not attached to draft pick compensation. The signing is yet to be confirmed by the Brewers.
Hoskins has been linked to multiple teams throughout free agency this winter, including the Chicago Cubs, another NL Central contender. On January 8, MLB Analyst Jim Bowden reported that the Cubs had made a “significant offer” to Hoskins, with MLB Network’s Jon Morosi calling the team’s interest in the slugger “one of the clearest fits that I see in all of Major League Baseball right now.”
With Hoskins now off the market, the Cubs will likely focus their attention to remaining top free agent sluggers Cody Bellinger and Matt Chapman.
2024 Contention Plans in Milwaukee
The Brewers had a strong season in 2023, winning the NL Central with a 92-70 record to advance to the playoffs. Despite a better regular-season record than their opponents, Milwaukee was eliminated in the Wild Card Series by the Arizona Diamondbacks, leaving a sense of unfinished business hanging over the Brewers for 2024.
Hoskins adds a much-needed veteran power bat to Milwaukee’s lineup and fills the team’s hole at first base. The Brewers opted to non-tender Rowdy Tellez earlier in the offseason, so prior to Hoskins’ signing, the team’s projected first baseman for the 2024 season was recently-acquired Jake Bauers. With Hoskins now slotted to be the Brewers’ everyday first baseman, Bauers will likely move to a back-up role both in the infield and outfield.
Despite their success in the NL Central last year, the Brewers’ offense left a lot to be desired. The team ranked 23rd in MLB in OPS (.704), with shortstop Willy Adames leading Milwaukee in home runs (24) and RBIs (80), despite having one of the worst offensive seasons of his career.
The acquisition of Hoskins adds much-needed slugging to the lineup, pushing the Brewers into contention conversations after a relatively quiet winter.