Hoskins and the Guardians are finalizing a minor league deal, according to Meisel. Meisel goes on to report that the Boras Corporation client will receive a $1.5MM salary if he makes Cleveland’s MLB roster.
Hoskins, 33 next month, spent six seasons in Philadelphia as one of the more reliably above-average corner bats in the game. He managed to make up for low batting averages by consistently flashing 30-homer pop and keeping his walk rate above 10%. After a 2022 campaign where he slashed .246/.332/.462 with 30 homers in 156 games, Hoskins figured to be a key figure in the Phillies’ lineup headed into 2023 when those plans were abruptly scuttled by an ACL tear that wiped out his entire season. That lost season led Hoskins to reach free agency as something of an unknown quantity, but he ultimately found a two-year deal with the Brewers that afforded him the opportunity to opt out after the 2024 season.
The veteran appeared in 131 games for Milwaukee during that first season but didn’t hit at his typical levels, with a slash line of just .214/.303/.419 and a wRC+ of 101. While he was still good for 26 home runs, a career-high 28.8% strikeout rate sapped much of the value Hoskins had offered during his days in Philadelphia. That down season was enough to convince Hoskins to remain in Milwaukee for 2025, but he was limited to just 90 games this past season due to a sprained thumb. The good news is that when he was on the field, his production ticked back up to be more substantially above league average. In 328 trips to the plate last year, Hoskins slashed .237/.332/.416 with a wRC+ of 109. While Hoskins’s power numbers were the weakest of his career, his strikeout rate ticked down to 27.7% while his walk rate crept up to 11.6%, his highest level since 2020.
A second injury-plagued season in the past three years was bad news for Hoskins’s market value, however, and he’s scarcely been discussed in the rumor mill since returning to free agency back in November. With Spring Training now underway, Hoskins opted to catch on with the Guardians on a minor league pact. The veteran is a strong fit for Cleveland’s needs, and signing with them should give him every opportunity to crack the club’s Opening Day roster. Both first baseman Kyle Manzardo and expected designated hitter C.J. Kayfus are left-handed hitters, so a right-handed first base/DH option like Hoskins is a strong on-paper fit. While Hoskins actually had reverse splits last year, he’s a career 137 wRC+ hitter against southpaws, and even last year’s 102 wRC+ would be a substantial improvement over the numbers Mazardo (83) and Kayfus (67) posted against lefties last year.
While Hoskins currently looks likely to be ticketed for a platoon role on paper, it’s not at all difficult to imagine him working his way into earning everyday reps. Kayfus is a rookie who posted a wRC+ of just 96 in 44 games last year, after all, and Hoskins is a capable hitter against righties looking at both last season (111 wRC+) and his career (115). With Cleveland, the veteran should have a strong opportunity to put together a rebound season after his struggles to stay on the field and produce consistently over a full season that have cropped up over the past few years. If he can rediscover some of the form that made him a middle-of-the-order bat for the Phillies a few years ago, it’s not too difficult to imagine Hoskins becoming an instrumental part of the Guardians’ lineup alongside stars Jose Ramirez and Steven Kwan.
It’s a funny world where we can hear that Westburg is injured more seriously the night before anything is announced and somehow we don’t know a guy has been signed until we see him wearing their uniform. Hoskins is surely not the player Westburg is–just funny.
Some organizations are more tight lipped than others it seems.
The Guardians are notoriously tight lipped. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a major trade or signing reported before it actually happened since the Lindor trade. Accordingly, if you ever hear the Guardians involved in trade rumors you can almost guarantee it’s other teams leaking it.
If he stays healthy he is atleast as good if not better than Westburg
Good DH option for the Guardians. Gives them a power bat to go with Ramirez
Ok, this is kind of comical.
At least he got a chance somewhere.
Can’t wait to watch the Guardians lose to the White Sox, this year!!
With 4 winning seasons in the last 18 years, I too know what it’s like to follow a crapily run team. I am a Browns fan too. Go Tribe!!!!
lol this is so strange
Strong indications… I’d say so if he is in uniform and has a locker lol.
Nice pickup. I’m surprised his market was so slow.
I used to have a 91 jeep comanche
Limited defense, declining offense since peak, and injuries sapped his value. I’m surprised he didn’t get a little bit better deal, but I’m not surprised teams were hesitant to sign him.
Finally they did something.
Very sad on Colorado not making this move
Would it really have made a difference?
It would have still been fun to see a big power bat in Colorado.
Would it have?
There are Phillies fans sighing across the Delaware Valley, but Hoskins would have been a PH that occasionally made a start at 1B. He understood that, CLE was probably his best opportunity to get 500 PA’s for a contender.
I love this signing although I wonder how he’ll fit in playing time wise. We need right handed bats so this will help a smidge.
Suddenly the MLBTR writers are scouring the video feeds from all 30 teams to see who else is showing up in locker rooms wearing team gear.
If you look at the lefty vs righty splits with Manzo and Hoskins, you can see the platoon opportunity.
IF Kwan can show him how to layoff some pitches — Hoskins could be a dangerous batter
IF he makes the team, Hoskins will get about 300 at bats, if that.
The lack of available at bats was one of the reasons that Cleveland wasn’t able to sign a mid level FA that hit right handed. Hoskins market dropped to the point that he couldn’t be picky about playing time.
Cleveland has had some good fortune with signing declining 1B/DH types…in Napoli and Giambi.
Good for Rhys
I’m guessing he has an op out if he doesn’t make the team out of spring training, good option to show other teams what he has. I don’t see him taking at bats away from Manzardo or Kayfus both 1B/DH and their future, even Fry is available on their roster
Would’ve been a great addition here. Moncada is making three times as much to be just as injured.