The California native has found a home in Milwaukee for at least the next two years! First basemen Rhys Hoskins and the Milwaukee Brewers agree on a 2-year/$34M contract. This is a solid deal across the board. Hoskins mashes, Brewers need power, not a long-term commitment from either party, and the Annual Average Value (AAV) on the deal is not too shabby at $17M/year. Hoskins most likely moved on from Philly with the first base position now permanently being occupied by Bryce Harper. What is the Phillies' loss, is now the Brewer's gain. Hoskins is a legit bat and this move helps the Brewers in contention for the National League Central immediately.
Hoskins will turn 31 in March and is most likely looking at the back-9 when it comes to his baseball career, but that is fine. Just in 2022 before the ACL tear, he hit 30 bombs and was getting on base at a 33% clip. My thoughts for Hoskins are that we will see a little regression of course due to him coming off a significant injury, and the fact he will be 31 before the season starts. I know I know…age is just a number. Completely agree and I am not an ageist, just taking the odds. Hope for nothing, but the best for Mr. Hoskins. Rhys was never a speedster so I am not too worried about base running. My assumption is he will be the every day 1B or DH. There is no way that Skipper Pat Murphy is keeping him out of the lineup, especially at $17M/season.
Photo Credit: AP Photo/Matt Rourke
Just looking at the Brewers’ forecasted lineup for 2024 according to RotoChamp is so intriguing.
One has to think at maximum potential this team can be super scary in the playoffs, maybe even a World Series contender especially if Chourio pops off the way analysts are talking. On the other hand, if this lineup doesn’t pan out…are the Brewers in trouble?
The Projected Brewers Lineup 2024
Christian Yelich
William Contreras
Sal Frelick
Rhys Hoskins
Willy Adames
Garrett Mitchell
Jackson Chourio
Brice Turang
Andruw Monasterio
Honestly, I think somehow that Milwaukee has quietly assembled a playoff contender for the next couple of years. There are too many good baseball players and guys with talent to not be a solid club, it is just how good can they be? The team still needs work with its rotation as their best pitcher Corbin Burnes is being associated with trade talks every day, Brandon Woodruff is injured for a while, Freddy Peralta is a solid 3 (now 2 due to Woodruff) and then you have Wade Miley, Colin Rea and Joe Ross. The Brewers have been consistent over the past few years at producing solid pitching so I am sure they will have some tricks up their sleeve between their prospects and acquisitions between now and the All-Star break to compliment the “Airbender” Devin Williams who will be leading their bullpen yet again as one of the most feared closers in baseball. That being said Hoskins might be the missing piece this team needs to be a legitimate threat again. Time will tell how this move works out, but I give it an A+ based on all components of the deal. Good luck Rhys, I know that Milwaukee fans are excited for you to join the team!
Hoskins 2022 Stats:
30 HR | .246 BA | 79 RBI | 2 SB | .332 OBP | .462 SLG | .794 OPS
Hoskins Career Stats:
11.1 WAR | 148 HR | .242 BA | 405 RBI | 15 SB | .353 OBP | .492 SLG | .846 OPS