Rhys Hoskins Contract: The Brewers have reached an agreement with first baseman Rhys Hoskins, signing him to a lucrative 2-year contract worth $34 million, as per the report.

Rhys Hoskins Contract: According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Rhys Hoskins is set to join the Milwaukee Brewers as they finalize a lucrative two-year contract worth $34 million. The deal is said to include an opt-out clause after the initial season.

Hoskins, who has been a part of the Philadelphia Phillies throughout his entire professional journey, unfortunately had to sit out the entire previous season due to a left ACL tear sustained while fielding a ground ball in spring training. Although he made an attempt to make a comeback during the postseason, he wasn’t fully prepared. Interestingly, the Phillies made a strategic decision to permanently position Bryce Harper at first base, prompting Hoskins to explore other options in free agency during this offseason.

In March, Hoskins, who will be 31 years old, achieved a batting average of .246, an on-base percentage of .332, and a slugging percentage of .462. He had an impressive 145 hits and hit 30 home runs in the year 2022. Hoskins played a crucial role in helping the Phillies make it to the World Series, marking their first postseason appearance in over ten years. He was drafted by the Phillies in the fifth round of the 2014 MLB Draft and made his debut with the team in 2017.

Now, Hoskins is set to join the Brewers, who recently promoted Pat Murphy as their new manager after Craig Counsell departed for the Chicago Cubs. Although the Brewers won the NL Central last year, they were unfortunately swept in the wild-card round by the Arizona Diamondbacks. The team has made some notable signings, including backup catcher Eric Haase and center fielder Jackson Chourio, who both agreed to an eight-year, $82 million contract. With his experience and leadership, Hoskins will bring a much-needed veteran presence to the Brewers’ lineup. Additionally, he will have the opportunity to regularly play first base in the upcoming season.

The Associated Press was informed by an anonymous source on Tuesday night that the move was confirmed, pending a physical examination.

In the previous season, Milwaukee secured the NL Central title with an impressive 92-70 record. However, their journey came to an end when they were eliminated by Arizona in the Wild Card Series.

With the acquisition of Hoskins, the Brewers now possess another formidable power hitter to strengthen their lineup. In 2023, they had Rowdy Tellez and Carlos Santana playing at first base. However, Tellez departed after the season and joined Pittsburgh in December. Santana, on the other hand, remains unsigned as a free agent.

Jake Bauers, who was acquired in a trade with the New York Yankees in November, also has the ability to play first base for the Milwaukee team.

Unfortunately, Hoskins was unable to participate in the entire 2023 season due to a torn ACL in his left knee. Although he was able to swing before the season ended, he did not have the opportunity to play for the Philadelphia team, even when they reached the NL Championship Series.

Last season, the 30-year-old first baseman had a one-year contract worth $12 million. He was the second-longest tenured player on the Phillies roster, with Aaron Nola being the only player who had been with the team longer. Nola recently signed a seven-year contract worth $172 million to remain in Philadelphia.

In 2022, Hoskins had a batting average of .246, along with 30 home runs and 79 RBIs.

Hoskins made a strong impression when he burst onto the scene in August 2017, hitting 11 home runs in his first 18 games in the major leagues. Despite only playing 50 games that season, he finished fourth in the NL Rookie of the Year voting with 18 home runs.

In his inaugural full season, Hoskins smashed 34 home runs, and subsequently topped the National League with an impressive 116 walks in 2019. Despite Hoskins’ batting average plummeting to a mere .159 during the 2022 postseason, his pivotal home run in Game 3 of the NL Division Series against Atlanta secured a triumphant victory for the Phillies, earning him a spot on a mural adorning the corridor inside Citizens Bank Park, nestled between the clubhouse and dugout.

Unfortunately, Hoskins suffered an injury while fielding a grounder in a spring training game prior to the previous season.

In Hoskins’ absence, Bryce Harper took charge and assumed the first base position for the Phillies in 2023, starting in 36 games. Alec Bohm, primarily a third baseman, also contributed to the team’s efforts by making 59 starts at first base.