The Philadelphia Phillies made the decision to make Bryce Harper their full-time first baseman. This decision wasn't a huge shocker as the team was just one win shy of another NL Pennant with Harper playing first base, but it means that Rhys Hoskins' six-year tenure in the City of Brotherly Love is reaching its endpoint.
Hoskins was a staple in the Phillies order, playing first base regularly for the club from August of 2017 through their unlikely run to the World Series in 2022. Hoskins was the second-longest-tenured Phillie behind Aaron Nola, who could easily join Hoskins in finding a new destination.
While the Phillies appear to be set without Hoskins, there are several teams that would benefit greatly from adding the power-hitting first baseman. He might have missed all of the 2023 season after tearing his ACL, but he's still one of the most appealing free-agent bats out there in a weak class overall.
5. Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays fell short in their attempt at making a deep postseason run in 2023 in large part because their offense went silent in the Wild Card Round against the Twins. Toronto scored a grand total of one run in the two games they played at Target Field, and have many players hitting the market this offseason.
Matt Chapman, Brandon Belt, and Whit Merrifield are all free agents. Losing all three without replacing any of them would be problematic for a Jays team that ranked 14th in runs scored and 16th in home runs this past season. One way to add more thump to a lineup that needs it would be by signing Rhys Hoskins.
The Jays, of course, have Vladimir Guerrero Jr. locked in as the team's first baseman, but Hoskins can play every day in the DH spot and spell Guerrero in the field periodically when needed.
The Jays will likely target bigger names like Shohei Ohtani or Cody Bellinger first to add the punch to their middle of the lineup, but assuming they come up short there, Hoskins can hit behind the likes of Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette while providing immense power and on-base ability.
4. Los Angeles Angels
In all likelihood, the Los Angeles Angels are going to lose Shohei Ohtani in free agency. This team won 73 games with Ohtani putting up one of the greatest seasons we've ever seen, and would obviously struggle immensely if Ohtani were to be wearing another uniform.
Signing Rhys Hoskins wouldn't replace Ohtani. No signing can ever replace that kind of production. It would, however, give the Angels a respectable DH option they can stick in the middle of their order and expect to hit around 30 home runs while getting on base a lot.
A Hoskins addition can give the several young players the Angels have on their roster an awesome mentor, and can also add some much-needed protection for players like Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon in the middle of the order.
The Angels have promising rookie Nolan Schanuel penciled in as the team's first baseman, but if Ohtani leaves there's nothing in the DH spot. Hoskins needs regular at-bats to re-establish his value and would get them on this Angels team. Assuming the Angels are out of it by the trade deadline, they can flip Hoskins to acquire some much-needed assets as the team trends toward a rebuild.
3. San Francisco Giants
It's no secret that the San Francisco Giants will be going big-name hunting once again. They attempted to sign their face of the franchise last offseason with players like Aaron Judge and Carlos Correa nearly coming aboard but fell short of that goal. They'll once again be right in the middle of races for players like Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Cody Bellinger. Hoskins isn't quite in that tier, but he's the kind of player they can sign in addition to the big name.
San Francisco won 79 games last season and finished 24th in the majors in runs scored. Only the Marlins finished with fewer runs scored among National League teams. Adding an Ohtani or Bellinger would help, but them alone won't get them where they want to go. Hoskins can play first base regularly on that team and hit right in the middle of their order.
Playing half the time at Oracle Park might not be the best way for the 30-year-old to re-establish his value, but Hoskins did grow up in Sacramento as a Giants fan. This could be a way for him to achieve his dream of playing for his hometown team for a year or two and hopefully putting up solid numbers. Plus, playing six or seven times a year at Coors Field couldn't hurt.
The Giants have tons of money to spend, and the opportunity for Hoskins to play every day. It's a fit that makes a lot of sense.
2. Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a team in a rough spot. They've been a consistent playoff team over the last half-decade, but just lost their manager to the rival Cubs, and also lost Brandon Woodruff for likely the entire season. Woodruff missing the year is notable because this is also his contract year. He'll be a free agent at season's end.
Woodruff isn't the only Brewers player to hit or be close to hitting the market after the season. Corbin Burnes, Willy Adames, Adrian Houser, and Rowdy Tellez are free agents following the 2024 season, and Devin Williams will be a free agent the following offseason. Even Freddy Peralta's contract expires after 2026. Milwaukee could be heading toward a massive rebuild this offseason.
Whether Milwaukee rebuilds or not, they make sense as a Hoskins destination. The Brewers do not have a first baseman with Carlos Santana hitting free agency and Rowdy Tellez coming off such a miserable year. Milwaukee also ranked towards the bottom in home runs this past season. Hoskins playing half the time at hitter-friendly American Family Field will not only help his own value but should help the Brewers score more runs.
If the Brewers keep their roster intact, Hoskins can help them win games by playing first base regularly. If they decide to blow it up, Hoskins can become a valuable midseason trade chip. Assuming he does well to re-establish his value, the Brewers can land something fairly valuable for a really solid first baseman.
1. Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs made the biggest splash of this offseason so far, stealing Craig Counsell away from their rival Brewers. They didn't give Counsell the largest contract for a manager in MLB history without the intention of competing. The Cubs will do their best to get back to the postseason and make a legitimate run to a World Series championship.
The Cubs are a team that has been linked to Pete Alonso since the trade deadline, and for good reason. The team has a gaping hole at first base. Assuming the Mets don't move Alonso, Hoskins suddenly becomes a very interesting free agency target for Chicago to pursue.
The Cubs are also a team expected to be big players for Shohei Ohtani. Whether they land Ohtani or not Hoskins is still a fit at first base. This isn't something that teams like the Blue Jays or Angels can say if they land Ohtani.
The Cubs have money to spend, the need for Hoskins, and offer the ability to play half the time at Wrigley Field where he's sure to do some damage. Assuming they lose Cody Bellinger, they'll need some more power in their order very badly. Hoskins is a great fit in that regard.
