There are a lot of questions facing the Philadelphia Phillies this offseason but the first and biggest was whether or not to sign Rhys Hoskins. Bryce Harper took over as the primary first basemen for the Phillies after the All-Star break begging the question, what about Rhys Hoskins?
It seems like when asked, Bryce Harper said he would be willing to play anyway and that’s when General Manager Dave Dombrowski made the decision to have him continue the duties at first base and allow Hoskins to find other options. More from the Philadelphia Inquirer on that.
He was a critical part of the 2022 run to the World Series including this epic homer against Spencer Strider (shh) and the Atlanta Braves (boo).
Rhys Hoskins Injury
This was what is known as his “contract year” meaning the final year in his deal to be able to convince the Phillies (or another team) to sign him for a lot of money. Expectations were high and then, unfortunately, an injury in Spring Training ended his season before it even started.
Here is a video of the injury back in March, right before the season was set to begin. A non-contact left knee injury that led later to surgery.
Oh no no no.
— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) March 23, 2023
Rhys Hoskins appears badly injured after going down while going after a ground ball. EMT’s out. Non-Contact left knee injury.
Awful.
pic.twitter.com/xAG8JmFYVX
Will They Let Rhys Hoskins Walk?
It seems like at this point they will. As explained above and explained in the Philadelphia Inquirer post, it seems like Bryce Harper will become the full-time first baseman and Rhys Hoskins will get to explore other options during free agency. But where will he go? And will he end up facing the Phillies a couple of times in the regular season, the playoffs, or (God forbid) the World Series? We break down the options below.
Let’s start with his history, where it all started, and where it is today.
Current Contract
He just wrapped up a one year contract he signed in January of 2023. It was for $12 million and now he is officially a free agent.
(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Who Will Sign Him?
A lot of reports are indicating that the Chicago Cubs are VERY interested in signing Hoskins to be their first basemen including MLB Trade Rumors.
“Though Hoskins would add another right-handed bat to a lineup that already features Morel, Seiya Suzuki, Dansby Swanson and Nico Hoerner on a regular basis, he would provide the club with an additional power bat that the club has lacked in recent years”
Would he be a good fit in Chicago?
(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
San Diego?
According to LastWordOnSports, this could be an option for the California native.
“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.”
(Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
The Twins?
According to PhilliesNation, this could be a landing spot for him.
“One way to do that might be bolstering a lineup that can be thin on right-handed power when the oft-injured Byron Buxton is out of the lineup.”
(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
San Fran?
Maybe he’s really headed to play for the team he was taught to love as a kid, the San Francisco Giants, this is according to PhilliesNation.
“Hoskins — a Sacramento native — grew up a Giants fan, so playing for San Francisco would be a cool opportunity for him.”
(Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
