The Cleveland Guardians are finalizing a minor league contract with veteran first baseman Rhys Hoskins, including an invitation to big league Spring Training. The deal, pending a physical, would be worth $1.5 million if Hoskins makes the Opening Day roster. Hoskins appeared in the team's Arizona clubhouse on Sunday as camp begins.
GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- The Cleveland Guardians addressed a key need in their lineup by agreeing to terms with free agent first baseman Rhys Hoskins on a minor league deal, sources reported on Sunday. The 33-year-old right-handed hitter brings veteran experience to a team seeking to bolster its offense after a challenging 2025 season.
Hoskins, who spent six seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies and two with the Milwaukee Brewers, has a career total of 186 home runs and an .819 OPS over eight MLB seasons. With the Phillies, he posted 148 homers and an .846 OPS before missing all of 2023 due to a torn left ACL. In Milwaukee, he hit 38 homers with a .732 OPS and 102 OPS+ across 221 games, including 26 homers in 131 games during 2024 and 12 homers in 90 games in 2025, limited by a right thumb injury in July.
Despite recent injuries, Hoskins showed promising underlying metrics in 2025, including a career-high 46.4% hard-hit rate, a 39.7% sweet spot rate, and an 11.6% walk rate—his best since 2020.
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt expressed enthusiasm about the addition. “I’m very excited,” Vogt said. “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 added, “Adding somebody with his veteran presence, his ability to help young guys, but also help the team—we're excited to get to know Rhys and watch him play.”
The signing impacts Cleveland's first-base and designated hitter mix, which includes left-handed prospects Kyle Manzardo, C.J. Kayfus, and David Fry. Hoskins could serve as a right-handed complement, potentially platooning with Manzardo while providing depth. Vogt noted the competition: “Any competition is welcomed. Good teams have competition in Spring Training.”
Hoskins' arrival heightens position-player battles as the Guardians prepare for the 2026 season, aiming to raise their lineup's floor with his proven power against left-handed pitching.
