Categories: Rumors

Rhys Hoskins Rumors: Toronto Blue Jays have ‘degree of interest’ in free-agent slugger

Rhys Hoskins is a free agent. (Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire)

Rhys Hoskins is now a free agent after spending the first seven years of his career with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Despite missing all of 2023 with a torn ACL, Hoskins’ market is expected to be robust considering the shortage of top bats in free agency.

He is not expected to return to the Phillies as Bryce Harper was named the team’s everyday first baseman moving forward.

Keep track of all the latest rumors pertaining to Hoskins’ free agency here.

Sunday, Dec. 19 at 5:33 p.m. ET: After missing out on Shohei Ohtani, the Toronto Blue Jays “have some degree of interest” in Hoskins — among other players — for their designated hitter role, according to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet in Canada.

Toronto also has interest in J.D. Martinez, Joc Pederson, Justin Turner, Joey Votto and others. The team appears to be in no rush to sign a new DH in free agency, instead likely to see how the market unfolds in the coming weeks. — Ty Daubert

Saturday, Dec. 16 at 3:55 p.m. ET: The Seattle Mariners have “shown interest” in Hoskins, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network.

Despite winning 88 games a season ago, the Mariners have traded both Eugenio Suárez and Jarred Kelenic this offseason, and the expectation is that slugging outfielder Teoscar Hernández will depart in free agency. So it’s not hard to see how Hoskins — a right-handed power hitter — would be a good fit in the Mariners lineup.

With Ty France at first base, Hoskins would presumably be more of a DH for the Mariners. But who knows, president of baseball operations Jerry DiPoto always seems to have something up his sleeve. — Tim Kelly

Tuesday, Dec. 5 at 2:12 p.m. ET: MLB Network‘s Jon Morosi reports that the Chicago Cubs “remain in contact” with the free-agent slugger’s camp. Hoskins, of course, is represented by mega-agent Scott Boras and the Boras Corporation.

As previously mentioned in this tracker, Chicago and Hoskins have been linked throughout the offseason as a potential pairing. The two sides have discussed potential deals for both one year and multiple years, according to Morosi. — Ty Daubert

Sunday, Nov. 12 at 6:30 a.m. ET: The Athletic’s Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma report that the Cubs see Hoskins as a “good fit for their roster.”

With an opening at first base and a need for a middle-of-the-order hitter, the Cubs view Rhys Hoskins as a good fit for their roster, league sources said, seeing it as another opportunity to add an impact player with postseason experience without having to go long on a contract.

Chicago is expected to be in the bidding to keep Cody Bellinger long-term, but he is expected to sign a deal over $200 million.

While Hoskins isn’t necessarily a bounce back candidate, it sounds like Chicago is intrigued at the idea of adding him on a short-term deal. Cubs first baseman combined for a .713 OPS in 2023.

Thursday, Nov. 9 at 3:32 p.m. ET: MLB insider Robert Murray links Hoskins to the Chicago Cubs and Toronto Blue Jays on the latest episode of “The Baseball Insiders” podcast.

I think a one-year deal for him makes a whole lot of sense. And I think the Cubs make plenty of sense as well as a team, if they don’t re-sign Cody Bellinger, could replace him with a guy like Rhys Hoskins in that lineup and it could end up being a really good fit there. Another team that I think makes a lot of sense for Rhys Hoskins is the Toronto Blue Jays. I don’t know if they’ve talked to his agent (Scott Boras) quite yet, but I think that is a fit that we’re going to be hearing more about as the winter goes on. It certainly is going to be one to watch.

With Matt Chapman, Brandon Belt and Whit Merrifield on the market, Toronto could use a bat and with a need at first base/designated hitter, Hoskins could be a fit.

Wednesday, Nov. 8 at 5:00 p.m. ET: Dave Dombrowski tells reporters at the GM meetings in Arizona that Harper will be the Phillies’ full-time first baseman moving forward, effectively ending Hoskins’ tenure in Philadelphia. You can read more about that here.

Tuesday, Nov. 7 at 11:35 a.m. ET: WIP’s Howard Eskin had this to say about Harper wanting to stay at first base:

Bryce wants to play first base, from what I understand. He’s going to play first base. And that eliminates Hoskins. So Harper is going to be at first base, you gotta sign Wheeler, there’s all kind of things. There’s going to be some changes here.

Howard Eskin on Bryce Harper wanting to play first base and what that means for Rhys Hoskins.

Monday, Nov. 6 at 7:30 p.m. ET: The writers at MLB Trade Rumors rank Hoskins as the No. 26 free agent in this year’s class and predict Hoskins signs a two-year, $36 million deal. Tim Dierkes thinks he signs with the Minnesota Twins and Anthony Franco has him going to the Los Angeles Angels. Darragh McDonald predicts he will return to the Phillies.

Monday, Nov. 6 at 5 p.m. ET: The Phillies did not extend a qualifying offer to Hoskins. You can read more about that and what it means here.