Rhys Hoskins

[Cory Engelhardt]

So Bobby Nightengale mentioned that Rhys Hoskins was connected to the Twins, as did Roy Smalley/Lavelle Neal on their chin music podcast.

Just throwing this out, I do think getting a middle of the order bat would help transform this lineup. 
 

Thoughts?

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[CRF]

I'd like to see it happen. 

[tony&rodney]

Rhys is a good RH bat, but there are a few marks against him that are worth thinking about. Hoskins is not too smooth with a glove but Kirilloff/Miranda are no great shakes either. Hoskins would push aside the two young Twins (AK/JM). Although Hoskins does have power, he does strike out quite a bit. Finally, the contract would be for around $20 million and likely for multiple years as well. 

I believe we have discussed Hoskins in the past several weeks and his contract would seem to be too rich for the Twins. Signing a guy like Hoskins would be interesting because of the effect to both the budget and Kirilloff/Miranda.

[Cory Engelhardt]

I wonder if Hoskins would also get time at dh and left field, to platoon with Miranda and Kirilloff. Especially if Kepler is traded and Wallner moves to right, I can’t say I know who is out there. But Kirilloff or Hoskins out there could work right, along with Martin or Castro.

They certainly could use a legit power bat. 

[tony&rodney]

6 minutes ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

I wonder if Hoskins would also get time at dh and left field

Good DH. but not an outfielder.

[stringer bell]

Just now, tony&rodney said:

Good DH. but not an outfielder.

I think the idea would be to put Kirilloff in the outfield and Hoskins at first base.

[RpR]

3 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

I think the idea would be to put Kirilloff in the outfield and Hoskins at first base.

Kirilloff is only a slightly smaller hole in the outfield  than Hoskins is, where as Hoskins is a much smaller hole at first than Kirilloff is

[Jocko87]

The signing of a primary DH tells us more about Buxton than Kirilloff. He clogs 1st base too, unless Miranda gets traded.  

[mnfireman]

If Hoskins is being talked about by those closest to the team, I would put stock in it. I would also venture to guess that other moves are being discussed concerning any of Kirilloff, Miranda, Kepler, Julien and Wallner.

[JD-TWINS]

He’s not good enough to allocate anywhere near $20M/year.

The TD had a mention of Parades from Tampa Bay potentially being available a couple days ago (seems like a pipe dream) and if he is, Twins would be way better off trading some pieces for his 31 HR’s & .840 OPS……..he can play 3B or DH or 1B & is a RH bat. Under control for 4 years and currently at $3.5M. A much better allocation of resources & way better upside than Hoskins.

It will cost Rodriguez - Festa - probably a AA guy as well…..well worth it for a power bat for 4 years!!

[RpR]

6 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

He’s not good enough to allocate anywhere near $20M/year.

The TD had a mention of Parades from Tampa Bay potentially being available a couple days ago (seems like a pipe dream) and if he is, Twins would be way better off trading some pieces for his 31 HR’s & .840 OPS……..he can play 3B or DH or 1B & is a RH bat. Under control for 4 years and currently at $3.5M. A much better allocation of resources & way better upside than Hoskins.

It will cost Rodriguez - Festa - probably a AA guy as well…..well worth it for a power bat for 4 years!!

He is tolerable at 3rd base but that is taken; he is a large hole at 1st base.

[Jocko87]

11 minutes ago, RpR said:

He is tolerable at 3rd base but that is taken; he is a large hole at 1st base.

He's worse at 1st than 3rd?  It's a good point that if Hoskins is in the mix a trade for Parades would make sense too.  Package it with Glasnow and call it an offseason. 

[JD-TWINS]

11 minutes ago, RpR said:

He is tolerable at 3rd base but that is taken; he is a large hole at 1st base.

In another post today I considered trading Kepler to free up $$ - trading Polanco to free up $$ & use those prospects or some of them & throw in a guy or two of ours in the trade for Parades.

Parades, principally, at 3B & some DH.

Lewis in LF & Wallner in RF.

It’s a power gain overall & our OF has a RH bat with pop……..something organization may consider.

The $$ saved can be used on a FA pitcher. Lugo is still out there - Wacha is still out there - with freeing up $18M in the Kepler/Polanco/Parades moves, Jordan Montgomery is now affordable at $26M for 4 years or maybe $24M for 5 years?

[tony&rodney]

1 hour ago, stringer bell said:

I think the idea would be to put Kirilloff in the outfield and Hoskins at first base.

Either would be a major down grade from Matt Wallner defensively and Wallner has a ways to go with the glove. Left field at Target field is tough on poor defensive fielders, which allows singles to become doubles. There were plenty of criticisms of Eddie Rosario out there and of Wallner last year. We don't need to go back to Delmon Young and Josh Willingham defense in left field. I love the offense but that is what DH is for in the lineup. There is nothing worse for a pitcher than making a great pitch to an outstanding hitter with runners on base and two out only to watch the outfielder wait for the ball to drop before he picks it up.

[jkcarew]

3 hours ago, Jocko87 said:

The signing of a primary DH tells us more about Buxton than Kirilloff. He clogs 1st base too, unless Miranda gets traded.  

Last year, Miranda established himself as a well-below-average AAA hitter. Maybe he figures it out eventually, but he’s not knocking on the 2024 door in any way shape or form…and seems highly questionable even as a prospect given how far the bat is from where it would need to play at 1B and/or DH. The only current motivation to ‘clear a path’ for Miranda would be to save money.

[Doctor Wu]

Hard pass on this guy. 

[2wins87]

Hoskins remains, I think, the most plausible way to add a truly impact bat to the lineup.

He really crushes left handed pitching, so I do think he would fit playing mostly every day with a few off days against tough righties, playing DH/1B while Kirilloff would be 1B/LF.  It also depends on Buxton, but I don't think they want to DH a partially healthy Buxton again this year.  He'll either be healthy enough to play the field at least part time, or on the IL.

If he ends up on a 1 year deal, I do think it is plausible for the Twins.  There are reports that he has also discussed multi-year deals with the Cubs, and I'm less sure the Twins would be willing to multiple years based on their obligations in 2025 and general avoidance of long term commitments.  If it lowered the AAV from something like $18 to $15, maybe?

[TopGunn#22]

I just don't see the ROI for Hoskins.  That $18-$20 million needs to go toward acquiring a SP.  I'd look for improvement from Correa.  A full season of Lewis and improvement from Kirilloff to improve our offense.  I'd rather add Tyler O'Neill who could put up similar numbers to Hoskins while playing Gold Glove defense in LF and logging some innings in CF.  

[JD-TWINS]

9 hours ago, jkcarew said:

Last year, Miranda established himself as a well-below-average AAA hitter. Maybe he figures it out eventually, but he’s not knocking on the 2024 door in any way shape or form…and seems highly questionable even as a prospect given how far the bat is from where it would need to play at 1B and/or DH. The only current motivation to ‘clear a path’ for Miranda would be to save money.

I agree - I’ll give Miranda Spring Training to try and show something positive - have absolutely no expectations for him to be successful. To keep a spot open for him or to not add or be strategic with him not being part of the plan is trying our hands. Can’t consider Miranda a MLB plate at this point.

I get he was hurt but it sure seemed deeper than that in his AB’s in ‘23.

[mnfireman]

Miranda has options, he can start the season at AAA. 

O'Neill is said to be available in a trade, which is enticing, but comes with injury concerns.

Not a big fan of Hoskins, and if the price tag gets to $15 MM I hope the team passes. He is coming off of knee surgery and is not a good defender anywhere on the field. If the team can get him on a Gallo type 1yr/$11-12 MM, I would say yes, otherwise pass.

Whether we like it or not, many moves this off-season revolve around the teams expected availability of Buxton, including a possible signing of Hoskins.  

[Jocko87]

10 hours ago, jkcarew said:

Last year, Miranda established himself as a well-below-average AAA hitter. Maybe he figures it out eventually, but he’s not knocking on the 2024 door in any way shape or form…and seems highly questionable even as a prospect given how far the bat is from where it would need to play at 1B and/or DH. The only current motivation to ‘clear a path’ for Miranda would be to save money.

Wasn’t trying to suggest Miranda blocks anyone, more about how it relates to Buxton and DH.  They have to be careful about jamming up the spots they can rotate the no glove guys through.  If Hoskins was signed it would be more likely that they trade out of this surplus than weakening the defense.

It’s a lot of money for a weird fit. 

[baul0010]

16 hours ago, CRF said:

I'd like to see it happen. 

I think it makes a lot of sense, but I don't see that being feasible unless the Twins unload Polanco and Kepler.  I think if we were to shed payroll, add Hoskins, and make some trades for starting pitching we would be in very good shape for 2024.

[RpR]

Hoskins has the best bat and sadly, the best fielding at first base.

He would probably help the Twins but money for him should go to an above average Center Fielder.

 

[darin617]

Zero chance he signs with the Twins. He can easily sign a 1 year 20M contract or a 3 year 55-60M contract on the market now. 

I would love to see Hoskins in MN and unless they all of the sudden find a bunch of money under the couch cushions I can't see it happening.

[MGX]

At the salary he will get, No thanks. As others have mentioned the #1 priority should be a SP. 

[Greglw3]

I would be strongly in favor of acquiring Hoskins as a start to creating a viable offense. Kirilloff and Buxton can’t be counted on due to their recent injury problems which have been persistent. 

[ashbury]

The annual pageant of being "in on" this or that player who is clearly out of our little-town team's budget. "Darn, we just missed. And gave him a competitive offer, too."

[Dave Lemke]

19 hours ago, jkcarew said:

Last year, Miranda established himself as a well-below-average AAA hitter. Maybe he figures it out eventually, but he’s not knocking on the 2024 door in any way shape or form…and seems highly questionable even as a prospect given how far the bat is from where it would need to play at 1B and/or DH. The only current motivation to ‘clear a path’ for Miranda would be to save money.

Hard to tell anything with the bad shoulder last year.

 

[Otwins]

I think the Twins are only in if the price drops. 

 

[jkcarew]

2 hours ago, Dave Lemke said:Hard to tell anything with the bad shoulder last year.

 

Don’t think you can hang it completely on the shoulder. He was really bad right from the beginning…well before he missed any time with the shoulder. But the main point is, given the mixed/short track record, and his health, in 2024 he shouldn’t be considered as a first-choice at any position for a team that truly wants to compete for a pennant, IMO. Depth piece only in 2024…hopefully.