Could Rhys Hoskins Be the Twins' Splashy Free Agency Signing?

In a recent article published on Twins Daily, writer Peter Labuza laid out how court proceedings involving Diamond Sports Group, a subsidiary of Sinclair Broadcasting and owner of the many regional sports networks better known as Bally Sports, could lead to the Twins receiving a cash infusion. Though the exact details of their new deal (and how much revenue will be brought in) are still unclear, the organization could be set to unlock its payroll freeze and make a late-offseason free agency push. 

Free agent left-handed hitting outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger would be the ideal candidate to sign, but his impending contract (estimated to land between $25-30 million AAV for five to seven seasons) will likely still be too rich even for a team with renewed payroll hope. Signing Scott Boras-represented starters like Blake Snell or Jordan Montgomery would also make sense for the team, but here, too, the asking prices likely remain prohibitive.

If Twins ownership were to let the front office pursue an expensive free agent, they would likely want that player to land between the $15-20 million AAV range at a maximum. Although this is still on the high side (especially for a mid-market team with an unstable regional broadcasting situation), the commitment would be less of a burden if the player performs poorly or future regional broadcasting deal uncertainties arise.

Defensively limited veteran position players Jorge Soler, J.D. Martinez, and Justin Turner could be acquired for a one- to two-year deal in this price range. Although these targets are enticing for the World Series-hopeful Twins, another position player could provide more long-term upside for a similar price: Rhys Hoskins. 

Hoskins, 30, missed the 2023 MLB season after suffering a torn ACL during spring training. Before that, though, Hoskins was a cog in the formidable Phillies lineup, posting a wRC+ above 120 in five of the six seasons he spent in Philadelphia. His primary strength for the Phillies was hitting for power, evidenced by launching 148 home runs while averaging a .250 Isolated Power (ISO) and .492 Slugging Percentage (SLG) over 2,877 plate appearances with the Phils.

Hoskins began his career with the Phillies as their primary left fielder, in 2017 and 2018. He has since become their full-time first baseman, while sprinkling an occasional start at designated hitter. If the Twins were to sign Hoskins, he would become a platoon partner with Alex Kirilloff at first base, playing the position when the team faces a left-handed starting pitcher. Hoskins's splits in 2022 (his most recent healthy season) indicate becoming part of a platoon would suit him well. Hoskins hit .286/.387/.558 with 42 hits and eight home runs over 174 plate appearances against left-handed pitching in 2022, so entering a part platoon role with Kirilloff at first base would suit him well. 

In the same season, Hoskins hit .233/.313/.430 with 103 hits and 22 home runs over 498 plate appearances against right-handed pitching. Hoskins manufactured adequate numbers against right-handed pitching in a larger sample size, which indicates he could be used as a viable power-hitting designated hitter against same-handed pitchers. Hoskins's ability to produce against pitchers from both sides also suggests he could become the team's full-time first baseman if the oft-injured Kirilliff were sidelined for an extended period in 2024. 

Asking Hoskins (30 years old and coming off a torn ACL) to play either corner outfield position would likely be a stretch. Yet, with Max Kepler, Matt Wallner, Nick Gordon, Willi Castro, and Kirilloff expected to be healthy for Opening Day, the organization should have adequate positional depth to ensure that Hoskins (who produced -8 Outs Above Average in 2022 at first base) wouldn't need to overextend himself defensively. Considering this, Hoskins would effectively replace the 450 plate appearances Donovan Solano manufactured in 2023.

In 2023, the Twins ranked third in MLB with 233 home runs. With the departures of Michael A. Taylor (21 home runs) and Joey Gallo (21 home runs), the team will be without two of their top three home run hitters (Kepler led the team with 24 home runs). Replacing 42 combined home runs would be complicated for any team, but FanGraphs's STEAMER projections anticipate Hoskins will hit 30 home runs this season. The way the roster is constructed, the Twins will continue to hit home runs in 2024, but Hoskins can potentially replace 71 percent of the missing home run production on his own. If Hoskins was signed, there would be reason to expect the Twins to match, if not exceed, last year's home run total.

Since the beginning of the offseason, most pundits have predicted Hoskins would net a one-year contract worth $15-20 million. Although this was the assumption from most, it is late January, and Hoskins has yet to sign. If Hoskins and his agent Boras were asking for a one-year deal, he probably would have signed by now. Hoskins not signing yet indicates that he and Boras are holding out for a team to offer a longer-team contract.

Signing the Cal State Sacramento product would be an advantageous low-risk, high-reward contract for the Twins, but if the team's decision-makers were to need to offer a third or fourth year to acquire the 30-year-old's services, they could reasonably get cold feet.

Hopefully, the broadcast situation will come to a relatively speedy and lucrative conclusion. That would loosen the Twins' budgetary belts, but probably not enough to allow them to sign one of the remaining free agents who expect nine-figure commitments. Perhaps, then, Hoskins is the ideal target.

Should the Twins make a late offseason free agency push if they get money from a regional broadcasting deal? Does Hoskins intrigue you? Should they pursue Soler, Martinez, or Turner? Join the discussion and comment below.