It will be interesting to see what kind of contract Hoskins signs. He could sign a one-year deal and go back on the market after next year. It’s possible Hoskins’ next deal includes an opt out after year one.
Cubs first baseman combined for a .713 OPS in 2023. Trey Mancini and Cody Bellinger took down the bulk of the plate appearances at first base last season for Chicago. The Toronto Blue Jays, according to Nightengale, are now seen as the favorites to sign Bellinger with the Cubs still in it.
Before turning their attention to Hoskins, Chicago needed to see Ohtani sign somewhere. Chicago was one of five finalists for the two-way superstar, and would have had to give Ohtani 100% of eligible DH plate appearances. Hoskins, who is recovering from ACL surgery, will almost certainly need to serve as a DH in 2024.
If the deal is completed, Hoskins’ seven-year time with the Phillies will come to an end. He made his debut in the summer of 2017, hitting 11 home runs in his first 18 games. Despite his ups and downs, Hoskins hit at least 25 home runs in each of his four full seasons with the Phillies.
Hoskins’ most famous hot stretch came in the NLDS and NLCS of 2022, when he homered five times in nine games. It all started with a “bat spike” home run off the Braves’ Spencer Strider in Game 3 of the NLDS and ended with a two-run home run against Yu Darvish in Game 5 of the NLCS against the Padres. In a thrilling 10-6 Game 4 triumph, Hoskins also homered twice.
Hoskins’ last meaningful at-bat with the Phillies was in Game 6 of the World Series in the top of the ninth inning. He tore his ACL in a spring training game in March 2023, and while there was hope that he could return as a pinch hitter in either the NLCS or World Series, Hoskins never made the Phillies’ team again.
The Phillies were not anticipated to re-sign Hoskins after naming Bryce Harper the team’s full-time first baseman. Harper picked up the position after Hoskins was injured.
