Commentary: Rhys Hoskins could be a nice fit for the Cubs |
Remember the name Rhys Hoskins? The former Philadelphia Phillies 1B/3B burst onto the scene in 2017 and immediately became one of the more consistent power hitters in the game. After hitting 18 homers in just 50 games as a rookie in 2017, the sky was the limit for Hoskins, and he delivered in a big way.
From 2018-2022, Hoskins never hit north of .250, but was always in the .245-.248 range, which is right on the league average. However, it was the other parts of his game that stood out and had many people feeling as if he could be the next great power-hitting first baseman. Not only did Hoskins hit at least 18 homers every season apart from the COVID-shortened season, but four seasons of at least 27 homers, including a career-high 34 homers and 96 RBIs in 2018. He accomplished those numbers with an ugly strikeout rate, which teams will want to go down if he signs with them, but he also has the patience to work walks, as he has averaged more than 70 per season. When you look at the current state of the Cubs roster, their two biggest areas of need could be at both corner infield spots, as the production from first and third was terrible. There is a reason why this team is going to try and retain Cody Bellinger, but if that doesn't happen, you need to have a backup plan in place. Trading for Pete Alonso is plan B if bringing Bellinger back doesn't work, but given that he is in a walk year after the 2024 season, it may not be wise to give up a ton for a rental. That is where Hoskins comes into play, as he could be Option C and a solid Option C at that. When you look at the Philadelphia Phillies lineup the past two seasons, they have been filled with power as Nicholas Castellanos, Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, and Hoskins gave the Phillies four players that could legitimately hit 30 homers in a season. Throw in Trea Turner and JT Realmuto, and you can see why this team made the World Series last year and came within one win of the series again this year. However, unlike last season, their lineup was a bit different looking in 2023 as Harper missed time to begin the season with Tommy John while Hoskins missed the entire season with an injury. Harper was able to slide over to 1B to fill in for Hoskins, but you have to wonder what this team would have looked like had they been fully healthy. Hoskins played a massive role in the Phillies offensive success over the past few seasons. If he does hit the open market in the coming weeks, he will be one of the better power bats available and someone the Cubs should look into. Unless the Cubs address one, if not both, of the corner infield spots this offseason, the team is going to be in a similar position to where they were this year. While I expect the Cubs to go with an in-house option at third, 1B is a different story, as they need to go out and get something done. While Alonso is the more proven and consistent player, it will cost a ton in terms of what you have to give away to get him, and the Cubs have worked too hard to gut their farm system again. Hoskins may not be the player Alonso is, but he is very comparable in terms of power and may even have a better eye at the plate than Alonso does. He is also someone who could come cheaper, leaving the door open for the Cubs to add more pieces to their roster. Hoskins tore his ACL in March and missed the entire season, but had the Phillies knocked off the Diamondbacks, he would have been cleared for the World Series, AKA Schwarber 2.0. Given that he did miss the entire season, he would be a cost-effective option for this team and someone who will land a 12-15 million dollar yearly salary. He is also someone who has had a solid career and could play himself into a comeback player of the year conversation, similar to the chance the Cubs took on Bellinger this season. That is something this regime has done a great job of over the past few seasons. They don't judge a player based on what they have done in seasons past, but instead what they have done over their career. Sometimes it works out, and sometimes it doesn't, but it worked out in a big way with Bellinger this season. Hoskins would hope to follow a similar path and would be another young piece to add to this team who will bring a power bat to the middle of the lineup that the Cubs lack.
