It makes sense that the Boston Red Sox may be affected by a choice made by Dave Dombrowski with the Philadelphia Phillies during the Major League Baseball winter.
Let’s make the connection.
At the MLB general managers meetings in Scottsdale, Arizona, on Wednesday, Dombrowski, the president of baseball operations for the Phillies (who had previously held the same position for Boston), informed media that Bryce Harper will start playing first base full-time in 2024.
After recovering from Tommy John surgery in 2023, Harper—who spent the most of his MLB career as an outfielder—played 36 games during the regular season and 13 games during the postseason at first base. By making this move, a possible deadlock on the pitch is avoided. More significantly, though, Harper, who is about to begin his 31st season, is more likely to stick around for the eight years left on his deal.
Naturally, Rhys Hoskins, the former first baseman for the Phillies who is now a free agent after missing all of 2023 due to a ruptured ACL, will see the most knock-on effects. To “explain the situation,” Dombrowski phoned Hoskins on Sunday. This call is likely going to result in Hoskins leaving on the open market.
Might the Red Sox be interested?
Triston Casas, a promising rookie first baseman for Boston, showed flashes of an All-Star calibre player during his brilliant second half of the previous year. Hoskins is a below-average baserunner and fielder, but if the Red Sox are willing to give up some versatility in exchange for his hitting upside, he is a plug-and-play designated hitter option.
Right now, Boston has a lot of lefties in their lineup. This week at the General Managers’ meetings, Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow even said as much. As a right-handed batter with strong power and on-base abilities, Hoskins would provide some balance. And because he would be missing all of 2023, he would presumably be available at a fair price.
A two-year, $36 million contract was anticipated by MLB Trade Rumours for Hoskins, who is also about to turn thirty-one, like Harper. Tim Britton of The Athletic estimated a $16.5 million, one-year contract.
Naturally, it’s difficult to see Hoskins as the Red Sox’s first priority, even though they might have to replace last season’s right-handed productivity from Justin Turner. (Turner is also a free agent.) Rather, the Phillies might reallocate the money they would have paid to keep Hoskins in order to stabilise their arm pool, which would have a greater ripple effect from the Harper decision on the pitching side.
Among the biggest acquisitions in the offseason was veteran Phillies rotation player Aaron Nola, who the Red Sox would surely target in those pitching waters. When it comes down to it, Boston is impacted by Philadelphia’s more determined attempt to either acquire Nola back or find another legitimate starter in his stead.
Greetings from the MLB offseason, when a single choice may have far-reaching effects that may not be realised for days, weeks, or even months.