A long-anticipated reunion between the Philadelphia Phillies and former fan favorite Rhys Hoskins will not be happening after all. Instead, the veteran slugger has found a new home, signing a minor league deal with the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday, according to Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. The agreement reportedly includes a $1.5 million base salary if he earns a spot on Cleveland’s Opening Day roster.
There had been genuine interest in bringing Hoskins back to Philadelphia. Superstar Bryce Harper was said to have supported the idea of reuniting with his former teammate, and Hoskins himself was open to returning for another shot at a World Series run with familiar faces. Despite that mutual appeal, Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski ultimately decided against pursuing the reunion, closing the door on a comeback.
The decision raised eyebrows among fans, considering Hoskins’ impact during his time in Philadelphia. Over 667 career games with the Phillies, he posted a .242 batting average and an .846 OPS, scoring 392 runs while tallying 149 doubles, 148 home runs, and 405 RBIs. He also played a key role in sparking the team’s resurgence, helping launch their current four-year postseason run beginning in 2022.
However, Hoskins’ production dipped after departing Philadelphia. His 2025 season with the Milwaukee Brewers was one of the least productive of his career. In 90 games, he hit .237 with a .748 OPS, contributing 12 home runs and 43 RBIs while striking out at a 27.7 percent clip. A right thumb injury sidelined him for two months, further complicating his season.
Upon returning in September, his role had diminished significantly. He was surpassed on the depth chart by Andrew Vaughn and saw limited action down the stretch, making just 10 plate appearances and managing only one hit and one RBI while striking out six times. He was subsequently left off the Brewers’ postseason roster, and the club declined his mutual option, sending him into free agency.
Now with the Guardians, Hoskins will look to revive his career and move past a disappointing 2025 campaign. Meanwhile, Phillies fans are left wondering why the organization didn’t at least extend a low-risk minor league offer similar to Cleveland’s. Time will tell whether passing on a reunion proves to be a wise move or a missed opportunity that eventually comes back to haunt Philadelphia.
