Chicago Cubs Linked to Power-Hitting Phillies First Baseman

The Chicago Cubs may need a new option at first base and events in Philadelphia have provided a potential free agent to pursue.

Philadelphia Phillies slugger Rhys Hoskins missed the entire 2023 season due to a torn ACL he suffered during Spring Training. The first base job now belongs to Bryce Harper, who took it over after he returned from Tommy John in May.

Unfortunately for Hoskins, it looks like he's now out of a job. When Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski was asked about Harper's future, he stated that he was going to play first base.

"We decided we're going to play him at first base. ... He's happy to do whatever we wanted him to do," He said. "He said he'd play first or the outfield. He feels great. But the more we talked about it internally, we liked the idea of playing him at first."

Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reported that Dombrowski said he spoke to Hoskins about the decision.

"Dave Dombrowski said he spoke with Rhys Hoskins to tell him about the decision. Harper will be the everyday first baseman (he will not play right field) and the Phillies see Kyle Schwarber as the primary DH, essentially leaving Hoskins nowhere to play."

With Hoskins needing a place to play, The Athletic reports that the Chicago Cubs are interested in acquiring the slugger. 

The Cubs see Hoskins as a good fit for their roster and another player with postseason experience. 

Hoskins could be a significant addition for Chicago if he returns to the player he was before his injury. 

In 2022, he hit 30 home runs and slashed .246/.332/.462. That was the second time in Hoskins' career that he hit 30 home runs. In 2019, he led the National League in walks with 116.

Hoskins certainly becomes a more significant option if the Cubs lose Cody Bellinger in free agency. 

In that case, the Cubs' starting first baseman on Opening Day could be Christopher Morel, a player they're committed to getting reps at first base for next spring.