The Philadelphia Phillies recently announced that, moving forward, Bryce Harper would be the team’s full-time starting first baseman. This means that Rhys Hoskins will most likely not return to the Phillies in 2024. Hoskins missed the entire 2023 season after tearing his left Achilles tendon in spring training. Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski didn’t completely shut the door on Hoskins returning. However, with a $20 million qualifying offer, Philadelphia will most likely be looking in a new direction. In 2023, Hoskins had a batting average of .246 with 145 hits, 30 home runs, and 79 runs batted in. Even with the Achilles tear, many teams will likely consider Hoskins’ potential services valuable this offseason. Here are three championship-caliber teams that may serve as landing spots for Rhys Hoskins.
This could be goodbye for Rhys Hoskins. Phillies President Dave Dombrowski says Bryce Harper will be the Phillies every day first baseman and Kyle Schwarber will be the DH. With that plan there does not seem to be room for Rhys. If this is the end of his time in Philly, Rhys has… pic.twitter.com/YLl3f8STLn
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) November 8, 2023
Rhys Hoskins’ Potential Landing Spots
San Diego Padres
Entering the 2023 offseason, the San Diego Padres have Matthew Batten as their only first baseman. In 139 career at-bats, Batten has 33 hits and a .237 batting average. This team could go in one of two directions: either stick with Batten, and shed the team’s humongous payroll from last season, or buy in as they have in previous years in an attempt to win it all. Signing Rhys Hoskins could also go one of two ways. Perhaps there’s a one-year deal that could see how things go for both sides or a long-term deal with the hopes of a championship. This team is also in need of a new manager, as Bob Melvin left for the division-rival San Francisco Giants. It’ll be interesting to see if Hoskins considers one of the most disappointing teams in 2023 an option.
Seattle Mariners
This fit for the Seattle Mariners would be most intriguing. Seattle already has Ty France employed at first base, so if they sign Hoskins he would be moved to the designated hitter role. The Mariners hope to stack up against the top teams in the American League West, but they have plenty of cracks in the roster they need to repair. First, Teoscar Hernandez is hitting the free agent market, and he’s been a huge bat for Seattle over the past year. Secondly, Seattle needs to find position players who can drive in runs other than their star Julio Rodriguez. Third, they must find another quality starter behind All-Star Luis Castillo. While the decision is still up in the air, MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand has even reported that the Mariners could be a fit for Rhys Hoskins.
Chicago Cubs
For the first half of the season, the Chicago Cubs looked awful. They somehow turned it around, posting an 83-79 record, but still missed the postseason for the third straight season. There are rumors the Cubs are all in on New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso via trade. If the Mets choose to keep Alonso for the 2024 season, Rhys Hoskins would make a great second choice as the Cubs’ first baseman. Even if the Cubs improve, with Hoskins on the roster, this gives them a chance to sign Alonso in the 2024 offseason if a deal isn’t worked out. Chicago just signed manager Craig Counsell to a five-year, $40 million contract. Under the guidance of Counsell, a former slugger himself, Hoskins could perhaps be looking at a career year.
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