Phillies Have Yet To Discuss Extension With Long-Time First Baseman

The Philadelphia Phillies have yet to engage in contract extension talks with Rhys Hoskins, as reported by Ken Rosenthal and Matt Gelb of The Athletic.

Hoskins is set to become a free agent at the end of the 2023 season, and while an estimated contract value of around $20 million per year seems reasonable based on the market, the Phillies may be hesitant to commit to such a deal.

2023 may unfortunately be Rhys Hoskins last year as a Phillie. There’s not many bats in FA this off-season, and with multiple defensive question marks locked up, I don’t know if they’ll pay up for Rhys too. Just seems like the years may scare the Phils from an extension https://t.co/dqSGgQ2I8w

— The Good Phight (@TheGoodPhight) February 28, 2023

The team already has Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos on high-dollar contracts as defensively-limited sluggers, and Bryce Harper's defensive metrics have soured in recent years.

The Phillies may choose to allocate their resources elsewhere, such as extending Aaron Nola. Additionally, Hoskins is currently recovering from offseason knee surgery, which may also be a factor in the lack of urgency from the team's front office.

FASTBALL HIT TO LEFT IT IS LONG GONE pic.twitter.com/uHqZ64S0dC

— Justin Lever ❤️⚾️ (@JustinLever3) February 25, 2023

Still, the Phillies are clearly not afraid to spend, as we saw this offseason with the additions of Trea Turner on an 11-year deal and multiyear contracts for Taijuan Walker and Matt Strahm. 

In addition, the team added big-name relievers in Craig Kimbrel and Gregory Soto, while also extending Seranthony Dominguez and Jose Alvarado.

As a result, it's a little peculiar that the Phillies have not even begun extension talks with Hoskins. 

The twenty-nine-year-old has spent his entire six-year career with the Phillies, holding a .242/.353/.492 triple-slash line, with 148 home runs, 405 RBIs and 392 runs scored over 667 games played.
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