GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- One of the top questions hanging over the Guardians’ offseason was how they would improve an offense that collectively struggled in 2025. With Cactus League play underway, Cleveland is set to make its biggest addition of this winter.
The Guardians and first baseman Rhys Hoskins are finalizing a Minor League deal that includes an invitation to big league Spring Training, sources told MLB.com on Sunday.
The club has not confirmed the deal, which is pending a physical that is expected to be completed in the coming days. It would be worth $1.5 million if the 33-year-old makes Cleveland’s Opening Day roster.
Hoskins was already in the Guardians' clubhouse at their player development complex in Arizona on Sunday.
“I’m very excited,” manager Stephen Vogt said on Sunday. “Rhys Hoskins has obviously had a great career up to this point. We're honored he chose us, and we're going to acclimate him to camp.
“He's got an opportunity to come into camp, make an impact and possibly make the team.”
As the Guardians weighed lineup additions this offseason, their top consideration was how a given move would impact the opportunities they want to give their up-and-coming players this year. Hoskins’ addition will have ripple effects in the position-player mix, but it should raise the floor of Cleveland’s lineup given his track record of production.
Over eight seasons with the Phillies and Brewers, Hoskins hit 186 home runs and logged an .819 OPS. He also hits right-handed, and Cleveland has just four such hitters on its 40-man roster.
“Adding somebody with his veteran presence,” Vogt said, “his ability to help young guys, but also help the team -- we're excited to get to know Rhys and watch him play.”
Hoskins hit 148 homers with an .846 OPS over six seasons with the Phillies, before he missed the 2023 season while recovering from a torn left ACL. He spent the past two years with the Brewers, and while his totals dipped from his Philadelphia tenure, he still was an above league-average hitter.
Hoskins hit 38 homers with a .732 OPS and a 102 OPS+ over 221 games with the Brewers, including 26 homers with a .722 OPS in 131 games in 2024. He hit 12 homers with a .748 OPS over 90 in ‘25, but suffered a right thumb injury in July that sidelined him until September. He received sporadic playing time upon his return after Andrew Vaughn emerged at first base for Milwaukee.
Though his playing time was limited this past season, Hoskins carried strong underlying metrics in several categories. That included a 46.4 hard-hit rate (a career high), a 39.7 sweet spot rate (tied with 2017 for career high), and an 11.6 percent walk rate (best since 2020).
It’s easy to envision Hoskins fitting into the middle of the Guardians’ order. Cleveland must figure out how he will impact the rest of the depth chart defensively.
The Guardians’ first-base mix includes Kyle Manzardo, CJ Kayfus and David Fry. Manzardo bulked up this winter, as the club wanted him to physically prepare to play first base four or five days per week. Kayfus can play first and right field, and Fry entered Spring Training as a right-handed complement to the mix, in addition to his presence as a third catcher.
Hoskins now figures to be first in line to serve as a right-handed complement to Manzardo at first and also DH. That could lead to Kayfus opening the season with Triple-A Columbus. He would be third on the first-base depth chart, and the Guardians have a flurry of left-handed-hitting outfield options, such as Steven Kwan, Nolan Jones, George Valera and Chase DeLauter.
It would make a lot of sense to balance that group with a right-hander or a switch-hitter -- such as Angel Martínez, Johnathan Rodríguez or non-roster invitee Stuart Fairchild.
The Guardians’ camp was already laden with competition on the position player side, and Hoskins’ addition will only heighten that
“Any competition is welcomed,” Vogt said. “Good teams have competition in Spring Training. Whether that impacts the outfield, the infield, whatever it might be, we're excited that Rhys is here with us.
“It's going to add another layer and possibly another weapon for us.”