Chicago Cubs Discussing Potential Deal With Star Slugger First Baseman
The Chicago Cubs are looking to make moves that'll help the team during the MLB Winter Meetings. Given the money that they're reportedly willing to spend, expect the Cubs to field a competitive team that might even have a chance to win the World Series.
Of the available names in the free agent and trade market, Chicago will also have to make moves that aren't as big as others. Not every move for the organization is going to move the needle as much as Juan Soto or Shohei Ohtani.
According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, the Cubs are interested in former Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins.
"Sources: Cubs and Rhys Hoskins’ representatives remain in contact on a possible free-agent deal. One year and multiyear contract proposals have been discussed."
Hoskins, who tore his ACL during Spring Training last year, is regarded as a legitimate power bat who can hit 30-plus home runs in any given season. While he's not as big of a name as others, he still could be a piece that is a positive for Chicago.
For the Cubs, adding talent this offseason should be their main priority on top of trying to land Soto, Ohtani, and others. They had a good team in 2023 but can certainly be become more talented.
Hoskins helps them in that regard and fills the first base role, which is a position of need and something they were looking to add.
This should be a cheaper deal as well as he's coming off of an ACL injury. While Hoskins has never been the player that Cody Bellinger has been, this can be looked at as a similar deal for both sides.