Former Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins appears to have more free-agent options.
MLB.com reported on Saturday that the Seattle Mariners are interested in Hoskins, who missed all of 2023 due to injury.
Hoskins became a free agent earlier this season after the Phillies decided to move Bryce Harper to first base in 2024. While they haven’t ruled out a reunion, moving Harper to first base would require Hoskins to find a new position, which appears unlikely given the team’s current makeup.
After nearly a decade in the Phillies organization after being selected in the fifth round of the 2014 MLB Draft, Hoskins is now looking for a new team.
According to the report, Hoskins is just one of the options being considered by the Mariners. However, joining a west coast team would bring Hoskins closer to home. He was born in Sacramento and attended Sacramento State University.
The Chicago Cubs have previously been linked to Hoskins, as the team has an acute need at the position with Cody Bellinger in free agency and the team considering Christopher Morel playing the position.
Because of the ACL tear that kept him out for the entire season, Hoskins would be a low-cost option for any team interested in signing him. According to The Athletic, he could sign a one-year, $15 million contract in free agency.
Why? He has a career slugging percentage of.492 and usually bats in the middle of the order. When he was last healthy in 2022, he had 30 home runs and a.794 OPS. He hit 20 to 30 home runs per season.
A one-year deal with an option would give Hoskins a chance to show he’s healthy and has regained his previous form — as well as a chance to test free agency again in 2025.
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