With Bryce Harper set to be the Phillies’ regular first baseman moving forward, it’s very likely that Rhys Hoskins will be playing outside of Philadelphia come 2024. But, which teams make the most sense for the services of the 30-year-old? Here are a few teams that are logical landing spots for Rhys Hoskins in 2024.
Related: Who were the MLB Platinum Glove Award winners in 2023?
Brewers
The Brewers, on paper, make sense as a potential landing spot for Rhys Hoskins. Milwaukee didn’t receive great production from Rowdy Tellez (.667 OPS in 105 G) in 2023, the only notable first baseman on the roster now that Carlos Santana is a free agent. Milwaukee finished 28th in wRC+ (81) at first and 23rd overall in OPS (.705)
The tricky part for the Brewers, though, is whether a potential addition of Hoskins makes sense.
One, there’s the cost — although, due to the fact that Hoskins missed all of 2023, it’s not out of the question that he might take a short-term deal. But more importantly, what direction will the Brewers take for 2024? Milwaukee won the NL Central this past year, but no Brandon Woodruff and a willingness to listen on virtually anyone on the roster makes this one tough to envision.
Cubs
First base was a revolving door for the Cubs throughout the 2023 season. Seven Cubs saw at least 10 games at the position last year. But what’s rather interesting is that the Cubs’ most productive first baseman in 2023 — at least statistically — actually turned out to be Trey Mancini, who was DFA’d in August.
Across 46 games at first in Chicago, Mancini — who hit .234/.299/.336 (.635) in 2023 with a 74 wRC+ — had the highest wRC+ (120) and wOBA (.349) on the season at first base, better than what Cody Bellinger and company did at the position.
Still, Chicago ranked 24th in the Majors in wRC+ (92) and 20th in SLG (.414) at the position. Even if the Cubs don’t lose Bellinger in free agency, the addition of Hoskins’ bat can further elevate Chicago and give new manager Craig Counsell another weapon for the lineup. And, the Cubs do have interest in the ex-Phillie.
Mariners
Seattle Mariners first baseman in 2023 finished middle of the pack in wRC+ (108 – 18th) but last in the Majors in ISO (.125).
Much of that could be attributed to Ty France‘s down season. France hit just 12 home runs (44 XBH) and had a .366 SLG, not as good as what the 29-year-old did just a year earlier (20 HR, 48 XBH, .436 SLG).
France still got on base aplenty in 2023, but the question is whether the M’s would consider an upgrade and add some more punch to a lineup that already includes Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodriguez.
Padres
As things stand right now, San Diego could virtually run it back with Manny Machado, Xander Bogaerts, Ha-Seong Kim, and Jake Cronenworth. Cronenworth was the Padres’ regular first baseman in 2023, as he played 106 games at the position (94 GS) and 35 (30 GS) at second. However, the 29-year-old Cronenworth hit just .229/.312/.387 (.689 OPS) with 10 home runs, his lowest in a full season.
San Diego did pick up Garrett Cooper at the Trade Deadline to fortify the position temporarily but could look toward Hoskins to beef up the lineup. The problem, though, is that the Padres are set to lose several pitchers and a plan to cut spending may make this landing spot more of a pipe dream.
Not to mention, some in the Padres organization reportedly like the idea of Bogaerts moving to first.
Giants
Rhys Hoskins to the Giants makes almost too much sense. San Francisco ranked 26th in team OPS (.695) and 24th in runs scored (674).
Hoskins’ power could be a potential solution to the Giants’ run-scoring problems from a year ago, and the fact that the 30-year-old is from nearby Sacramento shouldn’t hurt.
However, the Giants are reportedly one of the teams in hot pursuit of Shohei Ohtani. Should the Giants sign Ohtani, that could take San Francisco out of the market for someone like Ohtani.
