The Milwaukee Brewers have already made one big trade this offseason. Earlier this week, the team sent two-time All-Star closer Devin Williams to the New York Yankees for Nestor Cortes and Caleb Durbin. Cortes, a veteran left-handed starting pitcher, figures to be a part of Milwaukee’s starting rotation this upcoming season. Durbin, meanwhile, has yet to make his Major League debut, though starred at Triple-A and just set the Arizona Fall League record for stolen bases (29).
The young infielder, who plays both second and third base, could make the Opening Day roster based on his speed and bat-to-ball skills (he has walked more than he has struck out as a professional). He also would allow manager Pat Murphy to move either Joey Ortiz or Brice Turang to shortstop to replace Willy Adames.
But while Milwaukee appears to have a “concept of a plan” for the left side of their infield, it looks like they are looking for yet another reset at first base.
The Milwaukee Brewers Are Interested in Trading First Baseman Rhys Hoskins
According to MLB insider Ken Rosenthal, the Brewers may not be done wheeling and dealing yet this offseason. Per his latest report, Milwaukee is interested in trading away first baseman Rhys Hoskins:
“As one might suspect, the budget-conscious Brewers are open to moving first baseman Rhys Hoskins, who will earn $18 million next season and also is owed a $4 million buyout on a mutual option for 2026.”
Hoskins signed with the Brewers as a free agent last offseason after missing the entire 2023 season with a torn ACL. He hit .214/.303/.419 (well below his career averages) with 26 home runs and 82 RBI while appearing in 131 games.
After the season ended, Hoskins unsurprisingly picked up his $18 million player option for 2025.
As Rosenthal notes, the Brewers likely do not want to pay Hoskins that much money given his production in 2024, but have no choice due to his player option. Later in his article, Rosenthal also notes that many other teams may not want to pay him that much either. “To move Hoskins, the Brewers might need to both add cash and attach a prospect,” Rosenthal wrote.
The Milwaukee Brewers Previously Expressed Interest in Paul Goldschmidt
Late last month, it was reported that Hoskins’ decision to pick up his player option threw a wrench in Milwaukee’s plans in free agency. Apparently, they have/had their sights set on 2022 NL MVP Paul Goldschmidt:
“The Brewers would love to find a way to get former Cardinals All-Star first baseman Paul Goldschmidt on their roster, and would have been all-in if first baseman Rhys Hoskins had opted out of his contract.”
Goldschmidt was a shadow of his former self last season with the St. Louis Cardinals, hitting .245/.302/.414 with 22 home runs and 65 RBI in 154 games.
In 2022, the year he won the MVP Award, he hit .317/.404/.578 with 35 home runs and 115 RBI.
There are also plenty of other intriguing free agent first basemen including Pete Alonso, Christian Walker, Anthony Rizzo, Josh Bell, Carlos Santana and Justin Turner.
Santana, of course, played for the Brewers in 2022 following a midseason trade. In 52 games in Milwaukee, he hit .249/.314/.459 with 11 home runs and 33 RBI.
Last year, playing for the Minnesota Twins, Santana won the AL Gold Glove at first base while hitting .238/.328/.420 with 23 home runs and 71 RBI.
More Milwaukee Brewers News from Wisconsin Sports Heroics
- Former Milwaukee Brewers Starter Signs with the Toronto Blue Jays
- Milwaukee Brewers: State of the Starting Rotation Following the Addition of Nestor Cortes
- 2 Milwaukee Brewers Who Could Be Traded Following the Addition of Nestor Cortes
- Milwaukee Brewers Sign Former Rangers Pitcher After Stealing Connor Thomas from the Cardinals
- Former Milwaukee Brewers All-Star Finally Gets Elected to the Hall of Fame
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