The Cubs consider free agent first baseman Rhys Hoskins to be a “good fit for their roster,” per Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic. The pair adds that Hoskins is an attractive potential addition for the Cubs thanks to his postseason experience and his likely openness to a short-term contract, noting that Hoskins’s agent Scott Boras acknowledged that there’s “potential” for a pillow contract for Hoskins this offseason at the GM Meetings last week.
Hoskins is in a very unusual situation as a free agent, both because he missed the entire 2023 campaign due to an ACL tear during Spring Training but also because a reunion with his former club is all but certainly off the table. The Phillies have announced that Bryce Harper will be moving to first base on a permanent basis for the club after learning the position while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, while Kyle Schwarber is slated to act as the club’s everyday DH. Those positional changes leave the Phillies without a spot in their lineup for Hoskins, who played some left field early in his career with the Phillies but graded out poorly at the position and has been a first baseman exclusively since 2019.
Few teams are in clear need of an upgrade at first base this offseason, as the majority of clubs already have an established regular at the position. The Cubs do not fall into that category, however; while they ranked middle of the pack with a 103 wRC+ from first base last year, that production was buoyed by the contributions of star free agent Cody Bellinger, who is far from guaranteed to return to Chicago and was primarily used in center field with Chicago last season. Though the Cubs have reportedly considered giving young power bat Christopher Morel a run at first base, the youngster has never played the position at the big league level and was responsible for the majority of the club’s production at DH last year, meaning Hoskins could still be a fit even if the club wants to try Morel or a prospect like Matt Mervis at first base.
While Hoskins missing the 2023 campaign has drawn some attention away from him, it’s worth noting that the 30-year-old has been one of the most consistent hitters in the majors in recent years. Since he made his big league debut in 2017, only 24 hitters have posted a higher wRC+ than Hoskins’s 126 figure while stepping up to the plate more frequently than he has. He also ranks 19th in walk rate and 16th in ISO among all qualified hitters since the start of the 2017 season, while keeping his strikeouts limited to a manageable 23.9% clip.
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; no player has hit 30 home runs in a season for the Cubs since Kyle Schwarber (38) and Kris Bryant (31) did so back in 2019. Hoskins, by contrast, has hit 93 home runs across the three seasons of his career where he’s recorded at least 500 plate appearances, with a 34-homer campaign in 2018, 29 homers in 2019 and 30 in 2022. Given Chicago’s need for power and overall offensive production, both at first base and more generally, in the wake of Bellinger returning to the open market, it’s hardly a surprise that the club would be interested in Hoskins’s services.
While many clubs are already set at first base for 2023, the Cubs are far from the only feasible fit for Hoskins this winter. The Brewers are surely looking for an offensive upgrade after posting a 92 wRC+ as a team last year, and things were particularly brutal for the club at first in 2023; only the Astros and Rockies got less offensive production out of first base than Milwaukee, whose first baseman slashed just .237/.301/.381 with a wRC+ of 83. The Padres are another club that could look to add to their first base/DH mix this offseason, though the club’s payroll and infield are both bogged down by pricey contracts that could make it difficult to make room for Hoskins. The Mariners, Astros, and Angels could all also stand to upgrade at first base, though each has a plausible regular at the positional already in Ty France, Jose Abreu, and Nolan Schanuel.
Astros don’t need an upgrade at 1B
Imagine Rhys Hoskins on one of his hot streaks and he’s hitting in Wrigley with the wind blowing out. They’ll be calling him Rooftop Rhys…
Glenallen hill. Most memorable hr I’ve ever seen… or even though it doesn’t count Sosa HR derby at Miller park… he hit 1 where no one will ever come close to in a game.
I will never forget that Glenallen Hill home run, saw it live!
Same. What gargantuan blast that was!
I was at that game. It was 4+ hours long and a Cubs loss. Hill’s homerun was the best part of that game. Otherwise, it was watching two teams try to give each other the win until Mil took it over.
I saw Dave kingmans Homer at Wrigley Field hills is nothing compared to king kongs one bounce and hit a house
Check out the one Dave Kingman hit. Its on Youtube. It went down Kenmore Ave and hit a front porch! This, of course, was before ‘roids.
One of the craziest games ever. Schmidt got the last laugh, though. When Kong hit em, he absolutely pulverized em. However, there were many a time he didn’t hit em.
I think Kingman hit one out of LA stadium too that was a bomb too
I’d love to see that but in reality the wind doesn’t blow out very much anymore at Wrigley. I see or go to every home game and I’d say the wind blew out maybe 6 times last year.
For you, Mr. Ripley…
youtube.com/shorts/xYTSeycVrr4?si=pBxRzoQekLfDfIch
Barry Foote once hit one through the window at the condo/Apartment across the street at Wrigley.
To every single person who rattled off some antiquated name in response to this post…THANK YOU. I’m 46, and all of your contributions made me feel 16 or 68.
The Guardians are “in” on Hoskins
ONLY if his market collapses, and he’s willing to take a one-year pillow deal for around $10M. Otherwise forget it.
A lot of moving parts right there. If you feel strongly enough it will come to pass, lay down $1K in Vegas for that scenario to play out exactly. When you hit you retire.
I know what the name of this site is, but I find this to be pretty much a desperation rumor
I wouldn’t call it desperation. It’s a site about trade rumors. What the heck did you come here for?
What I will say is the site is run by Cubs fans. That’s important to keep in mind. I think they do a pretty good job not showing a bias but you are always going to get more Cubs rumors than anything else.
First of all, only the owner, Tim Dierkes, grew up a Cubs fan. However, he recently posted that he is not that active of a fan any longer. Meanwhile, none of the writers are Cubs fans.
Pretty sure that’s false. In the early days all the writers were Cubs fans. Now I believe that’s not the case anymore but I highly doubt Tim is the only one left. One guy left and works for Fangraphs I do know that.
Again I am not criticizing. We are way past the Brian Robert’s days. But still you gotta know your source. In the world we live in here in 2023 you gotta know the source.
I would love to see the Cubs sign Hoskins. First off his wife and dog would bring smiles to many as they wander around the neighborhood. But better would be listening to Mooney and Sharma Podcast each week if Rhys is not hitting well. They could rip Jed for even considering the move claiming it as possibly the worst move ever made. Not sure how Mr. Ricketts doesn’t have them on his list to replace Jed at the top of management one day.
From Tim Dierkes in his Cubs offseason transcript:
described this in the White Sox chat, but my Cubs fandom is pretty uncaring and kind of distant, so I’m never gonna kind of be the cheerleader you might want.
1:17 But yes, I’m cynical toward the franchise by nature. Don’t think they’ll spend money based on what Ricketts has said and done recently. I like Cade Horton? Don’t think Jed will spend big on the bullpen based on the team not doing that since Kimbrel.
I also don’t know that I “want” the Cubs to trade for Alonso. I think it’d be interesting but I’m not really invested in them doing that
1:18 I have said before, and this might seem kinda sad, but I mostly just root for interesting things to happen
Here is the link to the transcript:
live.jotcast.com/chat/cubs-offseason-chat-with-tim…
Tim might not care or be a big fan today in 2023. But I remember when this site first started. I remember the Brian Robert’s rumors day after day. If you were around then you would know exactly what I am talking about.
Again the guy who wrote this article is a freaking Cubs fan. So what the heck are you arguing about? Everything I said is true. Every bit of it.
This site is not “run by Cub fans”. What a load. Your team must be lacking in activity.
The writer of this article is a Cubs fan. I just looked it up.
So….you were saying?
Either there’s too many Yankees articles, Dodgers, Mets, Padres and on and on. There’s an article for Royals fans because they’re might be an extension for Bobby Witt Jr. Spoiler alert! Soon enough there will be an article about the Athletics and their potential relocation.
Point is there is a variety of articles. If you don’t see one for your team, that’s probably because there’s not a lot happening with your team. Crazy idea, but no one is against your team or has a bias. You want bias? Go to ESPN or MLB Network now there’s some bias.
I misunderstood, I thought you were complaining about a Cubs article. My apologies for assuming.
As far as the original poster goes for complaining about an article about a rumor, the don’t come here. This site is not for you, because that is a constant here.
I misunderstood as well that’s why I deleted my comment.
I wasn’t complaining I was sharing what I know. As I have said already they do a pretty good job not showing a bias. If I had to nitpick perhaps treat the Brewers and their fans a little better but overall they do a good job.
ESPN is so biased it’s completely unwatchable. And I say that as a Yankees fan.
Glad we got that sorted out, true about the Brewers, they do need a little more love.
Yeah I don’t even watch ESPN anymore and that’s a big reason why. That and their obsession with football and basketball.
I would say here on this site you get a few extra Cubs articles. I wouldn’t really call it a bias but you get a few extra Cubs articles you wouldn’t get from other teams. Again this writer is a Cubs fan. He’s writing about the Cubs. I don’t think that’s a coincidence.
Oh yeah I agree. All ESPN and MLB Network is salivate at the Dodgers and Yankees with their “analysts” chiming in.
Yeah them and the Sawx. I really don’t watch much ESPN anymore really. Once MLB channel appeared I was kind of done with ESPN. And the MLB channel does a pretty good job not taking sides.
Joel.. You can “look up” whatever you want to find. But Tim D has said, on record, that his status as a Cub fan has cooled off considerably over the past few seasons. If you read his offseason outlook for them, it is far from encouraging. And I was responding to the “This site is run by Cub fanS” ridiculousness.
This same “rumor” about the Cubs being interested in Hoskins hit CBSSports at the same time. They must all be Cubs fans as well.
Reality is that this site and all others exist to get eyeballs for ads. They will publish just about anything within their content area that accomplishes that objective.
Site is run by Cubs fans. My last post was deleted. Why? I sure don’t know.
These types of “rumors” show up day after day for all teams. But the writer is a Cubs fan. That’s why he noticed this one and that’s why it was posted.
Several teams should “in”, since Hos is a proven run producer and HR threat who usually sees a lot of pitches per at bat. Of course he’s not great with the glove, so he may play some 1b and maybe DH a third of the time.
Pirates
Pirates owner and GM talked a lot about opening up the wallet last year to help this young team. Here’s their chance to spend on a 1B power hitter.
I don’t know why the Pirates weren’t listed as a possibility.
Well, aside from the (1) we’re not going to spend that much and (2) it makes too much sense if you are actually trying to win parts
There seems to be some fixation with bringing back Santana here. Good defensive guy but not exactly an offensive dynamo. Belt’s name has come up, too
For what it’s worth, Cherington has said he’s prepared to spend this winter, but his focus is starting pitching. I mean, they have two healthy starters, three who are coming off major surgeries and may be ready mid season, and a whole host of young ‘uns.
In a tough spot. Several good first basemen free agents next year so he better have a good year to get a multiple year deal.
Come on, Mike Elias. Hoskins to DH, workload managed with Adley DH days and O’Hearn/Kjerstad platoon rotation. Kjerstad 4th OF, Cowser dealt in a package for cost controlled SP2. LFG.
Becoming a destination spot for Boras clients’ pillow contracts doesn’t seem like the best path to sustained success.
Ok quick everyone change your team in contest to Cubs!
If the bidding for free agent 1B Rhys Hopkins and his agent Scott Boras comes down to the Cubs and Brewers the outcome is obvious. Hopkins could very well be the top candidate for the 2024 NL Comeback Player of the Year Award, just like Cody Bellinger was for the Cubs last season.
Ok, I’ll bite. What’s the outcome, and why?
Pretty sure it’s Hoskins not Hopkins.
Changing from red to blue pinstripes. Probably a one year for more than he’s has ever made before.
Scott Boras being Scott Boras probably is the source of the rumor that the Cubs are interested in Hoskins.
You can almost hear Boras use his colorful language, “Hoskins is ready to fly the W!”
If it’s not broke why fix it?
I could see him at a 4-5 year deal. Obviously there will be I think 5-6 teams that make a serious run at him. I know Philly has a reputation for being homer-friendly, but a number of his shots were not cheap shots and would transfer well to other parks.
The Nats need an upgrade at first. Dom
Smith was terrific defensively, but had too little pop for a first baseman.
He’s a subpar 1B, but underrated on offense. Tremendous power and walks on ton. Takes a lot of pitches with some great ABs.
Pirates need him badly
Dumpster diving cubs once again
Hoskins is the obvious plan B for the SFGs. Plan A rarely works out.
One can always hope though.
Post injury guys with local roots are the usual fall back plan.
Who says G. Hill took roofs. His homer was more prodigious than Kingman’s.
Two Athletic writers are telling us, Cubs are interested in Hoskins? How to they know, do they have a direct line to Hoyers Office? Maybe Hoyers Administration Assistant is a spy for the Athletic? After all, they notified us in advance of the hiring of Council as Manager. Why do the Cubs pay Hoyer, when they could use writers at the Athletic?
I think Rhys is a good fit in Chicago and would have a good chance to be comeback player of the year there.
Bellinger pillow contract part deux for the Cubs.
If the Rangers don’t sign Garver, Hoskins makes a lot of sense.