Phillies Boss Says Hoskins 'Understood' Harper Move to First
Philadelphia Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski isn’t ruling out a reunion with free-agent first baseman Rhys Hoskins, even though the team is moving forward with Bryce Harper as its first baseman.
Dombrowski spoke to reporters about the decision to install Harper at first base, and then addressed the potential of losing Hoskins.
"We think the world of Rhys and Jayme (Hoskins’ wife)," Dombrowski said. "They are wonderful people who have done so much for the community. I don't want to 100% close any doors but I'd say that's the situation. He understood. If he's not back with us, we wish him nothing but the best."
Dombrowski said that he and Hoskins spoke before he made the Harper announcement.
Hoskins is a career .242 hitter who consistently hits anywhere from 20 to 30 home runs per season and is able to draw walks effectively. But, in his absence in 2023 due to a torn ACL, the Phillies turned to Harper at first base.
The move was out of necessity, as Harper’s right arm — which had Tommy John surgery last November — wasn’t healed enough for him to play in the outfield. But he was capable of playing first base.
Harper played in 126 games, slashed .293/.401/.499/.900 with 21 home runs and 72 RBI and helped the Phillies reach the NLCS. In a full season, Harper is capable of producing like some of the best power hitting first baseman in baseball. Keeping him at first might also lessen his injury risk and extend his career.
The Phillies did not extend Hoskins, a player they drafted in 2014, a qualifying offer, as they did with pitcher Aaron Nola. Hoskins is already drawing connections in free agent rankings and rumors, most recently to the Colorado Rockies.
