Guardians to sign Rhys Hoskins to minor league deal

Former Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins is signing with Cleveland.

He was spotted in the Guardians clubhouse on Sunday morning, per Zack Meisel of The Athletic. He signed a minor league contract with the team. Per Meisel, the deal is worth $1.5 million if he is on the major league roster.

Hoskins, 32, was one of the better free agents remaining on the market. He spent the last two seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers. He missed about six weeks last season with a thumb sprain. In 328 plate appearances, Hoskins had a .748 OPS with 12 home runs and 43 RBIs. The Brewers declined their end of an $18 million mutual option for 2026, making him a free agent for the second time in his career.

Hoskins spent the first seven years of his career with the Phillies. A fan favorite, Hoskins finished his Phillies career with a .242/.353/.492 slash line with 148 home runs and 405 RBIs. His last meaningful game as a Phillie was Game 6 of the 2022 World Series. Hoskins tore his ACL in spring training of 2023, keeping him out for the entirety of his final season with the team.

Cleveland already has a pretty good first baseman on the roster in Kyle Manzardo, but Hoskins should provide some right-handed power the Guardians have desperately needed. Hoskins could spend some time as the DH.