Although historical evidence indicates that Philadelphia’s World Series victories typically correspond with economic downturns, the following facts show otherwise.
All of this is business, as both parties were aware of.
Harper will start at first base in the upcoming season, barring a dramatic shift in the Phillies’ front office that prompts them to trade Nick Castellanos. Since that’s probably not the case, Hoskins has been looking into other possibilities.
According to MLB.com, his free agency is heating up and he could sign a deal in the near future. Of the teams interested in the power hitter, the Toronto Blue Jays and Chicago Cubs have the “most notable” interest.
The 30-year-old is coming off a torn ACL after suffering the injury in Spring Training last year. When healthy, he’s a 30-plus home run threat every season.
With a lack of power in the Cubs’ lineup, they seem to make the most sense.
But, if Cody Bellinger re-signs with Chicago and they believe Pete Crow-Armstrong can make an impact at the big league level in 2024, adding Hoskins doesn’t make much sense for them.
Hoskins made his big league debut in 2017 with the Phillies and succeeded in the role set out for him.
In 2,427 at-bats, he hit 148 home runs, drove in 405 RBIs, and slashed .242/.353/.492. He hit 27-plus home runs in all four seasons in which he played more than 100 games.
Any team that ends up signing Hoskins, if healthy, will be more than happy to add his offensive production to their lineup.
