The Milwaukee Brewers are reportedly on the verge of securing a significant addition to their roster with the acquisition of free agent slugger Rhys Hoskins. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the veteran first baseman, who spent seven seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies, is in the final stages of negotiating a two-year deal with the Brewers.
The anticipated contract for Hoskins is set to be valued at $34 million over the course of two years, with an interesting twist – an opt-out clause after the first season, providing flexibility for both player and team, as reported by Passan. Hoskins, who is approaching his 31st birthday, garnered attention during his tenure with the Phillies, particularly in their journey to the 2022 World Series. His knack for clutch performances endeared him to Philadelphia fans.
However, the 2023 season saw Hoskins sidelined due to a torn ACL sustained in March. Nevertheless, his impact in the previous season was notable, hitting 30 home runs and amassing 79 RBIs in 156 appearances before the unfortunate injury.
Primarily stationed at first base for the Phillies from 2018 to 2022, Hoskins contributed significantly to the team’s offensive capabilities. Over his time in Philadelphia, he notched an impressive 148 home runs, 405 RBIs, and an 11.1 Wins Above Replacement (WAR). Hoskins, maintaining a career batting average of .242, complements his offensive prowess with an .846 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS).
The Brewers emerged as the frontrunners in the pursuit of Hoskins, a move that addresses a positional gap in their lineup. Before this acquisition, Milwaukee was considering a platoon between Jake Bauers and Owen Miller at first base. Additionally, there’s speculation about Hoskins potentially taking on the designated hitter role for the Brewers, although competition for this spot could arise with All-Star Christian Yelich and the emergence of young outfielders Sal Frelick, Garrett Mitchell, and Jackson Chourio.
The signing of Hoskins not only bolsters the Brewers’ offensive capabilities but also adds experience and depth to their roster as they aim for success in the upcoming seasons.
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