Potential Landing Spots for Rhys Hoskins in Free Agency…
In the upcoming free agency season, three competitive teams are emerging as strong contenders for the services of power-hitting first baseman Rhys Hoskins.
The Philadelphia Phillies have not extended a qualifying offer to Rhys Hoskins, and the clock is ticking as they have until Monday to make this decision before he becomes available to all other clubs without any draft compensation attached. This qualifying offer amounts to a significant $20.5 million for a single season with Hoskins, which could still make sense for both parties.
However, it’s worth noting that Bryce Harper has smoothly transitioned to playing first base, potentially securing a more permanent role in that position. With Harper in this new role, the Phillies may find less incentive to pursue a long-term deal with Hoskins.
Moreover, there are concerns surrounding Hoskins, particularly due to his season-long absence in 2023 due to a torn left ACL suffered during MLB Spring Training. While Hoskins boasts a career slashline of .242/.353/.492, his defensive capabilities have generally remained serviceable throughout his career.
If Hoskins doesn’t stay with the Phillies, MLB.com has identified three teams that could be an excellent fit for him.
Milwaukee Brewers The Milwaukee Brewers, who won the National League Central division, are among the teams listed as potential suitors for Hoskins. Their current first baseman, Rowdy Tellez, had a subpar season with a .215/.291/.667 batting line. Whether their aim is to secure another division title or make a run at the World Series, Milwaukee may need to make some adjustments to achieve their goals, especially considering the competition from the Chicago Cubs. Hoskins’ leadership and slugging ability could be precisely what the Brewers need to take that next step.
Seattle Mariners Linking Hoskins to the Seattle Mariners might raise some questions, as they already have Ty France, who is a comparable player to Hoskins, albeit with slightly less power. France boasts a career slashline of .270/.344/.417. Additionally, the Mariners have various roster gaps to address if they intend to compete in the highly competitive American League West. Investing in a long-term contract for a position where they already have a promising player might seem impractical, but the article still lists them as a potential fit.
San Diego Padres Among the teams that make sense for Hoskins, the San Diego Padres stand out, despite being listed last in the article. The Padres are entering the season with Matthew Batten at first base, who, with a career .669 OPS over 139 at-bats, doesn’t inspire much confidence. Adding Hoskins to their roster could be a significant improvement. However, the decision ultimately depends on the direction the Padres choose to take. There is speculation that they may be looking to trim their payroll, and rumors have surfaced about them taking out a substantial loan to cover expenses in the previous season. Furthermore, there are reports of potential trade offers for Juan Soto, which may cloud the future prospects of the team in San Diego.
Bryce Harper’s camp continues to hint at desire for contract extension with Phillies…
In the ongoing saga of Bryce Harper’s future with the Phillies, there are strong indications that he is interested in extending his current contract. This desire for an extension has been subtly hinted at by Harper and his camp throughout the season, particularly gaining attention after he hit his 300th career home run late in August. Harper has openly expressed his gratitude for playing for the Phillies and his long-term commitment to the team, even stating before the season that he hopes to play for them until he’s 45 years old.
This desire for an extension is significant because Harper is typically guarded when speaking to the media, and his public statements are carefully considered. Even in a recent podcast interview with his agent Scott Boras, Harper explained his decision not to include an opt-out clause in his original 13-year, $330 million contract with the Phillies. Instead, Harper committed to the team with the belief that he would produce and help attract more star players, which would give him the leverage to negotiate for more favorable terms with the team.
Middleton, the managing partner of the Phillies, recognized the value Harper brought to the team, especially after Harper’s pivotal performance in the 2022 NLCS, which helped the Phillies secure the NL pennant. This recognition led to the notion that Harper’s current deal is a bargain for the team.
Comparing Harper’s situation to Manny Machado, who signed a 10-year, $300 million deal with an opt-out with the Padres, Harper lacks the leverage to demand an additional five years on his contract as Machado essentially did. However, Harper hasn’t ruled out discussing possible amendments to his deal, which still has eight years and $196 million remaining.
These discussions about Harper’s future in Philadelphia are likely to involve key figures like Dave Dombrowski, the President of Baseball Operations, and Scott Boras. While Harper may not have strong leverage this offseason, his significant contributions to the Phillies and his commitment to the city make it unlikely for the team to dismiss the idea of an extension. Ultimately, it’s not a confirmed report, but there’s a sense that additional years may be added to Harper’s contract in the near future.
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