A few years ago, the Philadelphia Phillies were powered in part by one of baseball’s more reliable right-handed first basemen. However, his trajectory changed dramatically when he suffered a torn ACL during spring training before the 2023 campaign, a devastating setback that sidelined him for the entire season.
Since returning from that injury, Rhys Hoskins has struggled to fully regain the form that once made him such an important part of Philadelphia’s lineup. He still showed flashes of his power in 2024 with the Milwaukee Brewers, launching 26 home runs, but the overall production didn’t match the impact he once had. Despite the home run total, he finished the season with a disappointing minus-0.1 bWAR after previously being viewed as a steady 1.5-to-3.0 bWAR contributor during his best years with the Phillies.
Even so, clubs don’t sign players like Hoskins for elite defense. His value has always come from his offensive production, particularly his ability to drive the ball out of the park and provide right-handed pop in the middle of the order. Defense at first base has generally been considered secondary when evaluating his role.
Unfortunately for Hoskins, the results at the plate this season haven’t been encouraging for the Cleveland Guardians. Through his early stretch with the club, he has managed only five home runs while batting just .189 with a 106 OPS+, numbers that have left plenty to be desired. Because of those struggles, speculation is already growing about whether Cleveland could eventually move on from the veteran slugger.
Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report recently suggested the Guardians may ultimately look elsewhere for offensive help if Hoskins doesn’t start producing soon. Kelly mentioned Cincinnati Reds slugger Eugenio Suárez as a possible trade target should the Reds become sellers later in the year.
Given Hoskins’ current one-year arrangement — a deal that began as a minor league contract with $1.5 million guaranteed — Cleveland would not face a major financial burden if they decided to designate him for assignment. If that happens, the possibility of a reunion in Philadelphia could become an intriguing storyline, especially if the Phillies decide they need another experienced right-handed bat with legitimate power potential.