Since making his MLB debut in 2017, Philadelphia Phillies slugger Rhys Hoskins has earned love and respect from fans.
Hoskins has had both regular season and postseason moments over the years, and he was set to enter the season as the Phillies’ first baseman.
He blew out his knee in spring training play, though, and plans changed.
He didn’t play at all in the 2023 regular season and is now a free agent.
He should be 100 percent healthy soon, meaning he could enter spring training with a clean bill of health.
However, the Phillies appear ready to move on from him, at least at the price of the qualifying offer.
“Dave Dombrowski has indicated that Bryce Harper will exclusively play first base moving forward and the Phillies are moving on from Rhys Hoskins, per @chelsea_janes,” Talkin’ Baseball tweeted.
Dave Dombrowski has indicated that Bryce Harper will exclusively play first base moving forward and the Phillies are moving on from Rhys Hoskins, per @chelsea_janes pic.twitter.com/pEQqUJsaWa
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) November 8, 2023
Harper, as you probably know, missed some time in 2023 and played first base upon returning as a way to preserve his surgically-repaired elbow.
He defended the position well, in part because of his surgery and in part because Hoskins was injured.
Now, the Phillies have decided to go ahead with Harper as their first baseman.
They didn’t make a qualifying offer to Hoskins: if they had done it and he accepted, he would have been brought back with a $20.325 million salary.
They consider that number to be too high but might be open to a reunion under different terms.
Hoskins is a 30-homer, 100-RBI bat, but he offers no defensive value and strikes out a lot.
Still, there are worse things than having a career .846 OPS hitter in the middle of your lineup.
There is still a chance, but it won’t be with a $20 million salary.
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