Rhys Hoskins signing with Brewers: Ex-Phillies slugger agrees to two-year, $34 million deal

He Milwaukee Brewers They have picked up a big bat in free agency. The Brewers and former Philadelphia Phillies slugger Rhys Hoskins have agreed to a two-year deal worth $34 million, CBS Sports MLB insider Jim Bowden reports. The team has not yet confirmed the signing, but ESPN’s Jeff Passan notes that there is an opt-out after the first season.

Hoskins, 31 in March, missed the entire 2023 season after tearing his ACL in spring training. His rehab work has gone well, well enough that he would be a candidate to be added to the World Series roster if the Phillies had advanced that far in the postseason. Hoskins has not played any Big leagues game since Game 6 of the 2022 World Series.

From 2018 to 2022, Hoskins was one of the best hitters in the game, averaging 34 home runs per 162 games with a .241/.350/.483 line. That includes a .246/.332/.462 line with 30 home runs in 2022. Hoskins has been a constant source of power, walks and good vibes in the clubhouse since he broke into the big leagues in August 2017. .

Despite the injury, our RJ Anderson ranked Hoskins as the 13th free agent available this offseason. Here is his article:

Hoskins missed the season after tearing his ACL in March. Unfortunately, he was already facing an uncertain free agent market before the injury. As good as Hoskins is, and has compiled an OPS+ of 120 or better in five of his six seasons, he is a right-right first baseman in the stormy side of 30. Teams need look no further than José Abreu to see what so quickly that the profile can form a crater. (To be fair, Abreu is/was significantly older than Hoskins.) Between the injury and the lukewarm market for this guy, Hoskins would seem like a reasonable candidate to accept a qualifying offer.

The Phillies declined to make Hoskins the qualifying offer earlier this offseason, so he is not subject to draft pick compensation.

Earlier this winter, the Brewers opted not to bid Rowdy Tellez. Before bringing in Hoskins, his projected first baseman had been Jake Baueracquired earlier this offseason from New York Yankees.