Bryce Harper is no longer an outfielder – and free agent Rhys Hoskins will have to find a new team.
And that may just be the start of what could be a wild Phillies offseason filled with notable transactions.
The Phillies named Harper their full-time first baseman with eight seasons left on his 13-year contract, which means Hoskins, who manned the position before tearing his ACL during spring training, will likely not be re-signed.
“We think he projects to be an outstanding first baseman,” Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski told The Associated Press on Wednesday. “He’s willing to do whatever for the organization, and we just think for us, it makes us a better club now and as we go forward.
“It gives us a really good, athletic infield that can be together for years.”
The Phillies originally shifted Harper to first base during the 2023 season after his return from Tommy John surgery last offseason, but it was not announced as a full-time maneuver.
Harper still served as the team’s designated hitter for the majority of the season – 89 games – but he took well to first base. He registered one defensive run saved in 36 regular-season starts, per fangraphs.com.
The two-time MVP manned the position for each of the Phillies’ 13 postseason games this year, which culminated in a Game 7 home loss to the Diamondbacks in the NLCS.
Starting Harper at first base allows the team to play Nick Castellanos at right field, and frees up the designated hitter spot for Kyle Schwarber when he’s not playing left field.
Those limited available at-bats affect how many at-bats Hoskins would receive, and Dombrowski said he personally told Hoskins of the team’s plans.
Hoskins hit .246 with 30 homers and 79 at-bats during the 2021 season and has been worth minus-seven defensive runs saved at first base in his career, per fangraphs.com.
“I gave him a call and just explained the situation. Because, as you know, we absolutely think the world of him and [Hoskins’ wife] Jayme. They’re just wonderful people. They’ve done so much for the community. We don’t want to 100 percent close any doors, but I’d say when we look at the situation … he understood,” Dombrowski said, according to MLB.com. “If he’s not back with us, we wish him nothing but the best. But he’s fantastic.”
Hoskins is not the only big-name player the Phillies could lose this offseason.
Righty pitcher Aaron Nola is a free agent and could command a major contract.
If the Phillies can’t retain him, they have their eyes on former Yankee and fellow free agent Sonny Gray, according to MLB Network.
Gray is one of the three AL Cy Young finalists after posting a 2.78 ERA spanning 32 starts with the Twins this past season.
The Phillies are also open to trading outfielder Castellanos after his disappearing act in the NLCS, according to MLB.com.
Castellanos hit .042 (1-for-24) and went hitless in his final 23 at-bats in the NLCS. The 31-year-old hit just .218 (10-for-47) during the playoffs, although he did hit four homers in the NLDS.
The outfielder has three years remaining on his deal at $20 million per season, which could slow any potential deal unless the Phillies are willing to eat salary.
The Phillies have reached the World Series and NLCS in back-to-back years, while finishing third and second in the NL East, respectively.
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