The former Phillies fan favorite is headed to Milwaukee. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Hoskins agreed Tuesday with the Brewers on a two-year, $34 million contract with an opt-out after the first year.
With Hoskins coming off a missed season due to a torn ACL, the opt-out gives him a chance to prove that he’s back to form in 2024 and reset his value for next winter. The first baseman and DH was No. 22 on Yahoo Sports’ list of this winter’s top 25 free agents.
Seven-time All-Star reliever Aroldis Chapman reportedly agreed Monday to terms on a deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates. according to Robert Murray and Francys Romero.
Per The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, the deal is for one year and $10.5 million, pending a physical.
Angels bet big on Robert Stephenson
Robert Stephenson, the top remaining reliever on the market after the Josh Hader deal, didn’t wait long to find his next team. The right-hander agreed to a three-year, $33 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels on Jan. 19.
The deal is a testament to how quickly a pitcher’s value can swing. A former top prospect, Stephenson held a 4.91 career ERA when the Pittsburgh Pirates dealt him to the Tampa Bay Rays two months into 2023. As they often do, the Rays then reworked Stephenson’s arsenal to focus on his devastating cutter, and they were rewarded with a 2.35 ERA and 60 strikeouts in 38 1/3 innings.
Josh Hader joins Astros bullpen on five-year deal
Josh Hader signed with the Houston Astros on a five-year, $95 million deal agreed to Jan. 19.
With the move, the Astros picked up the best reliever in baseball the past seven seasons and bolstered an already strong bullpen. Since Hader made his debut with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2017, he has posted the highest fWAR among MLB relievers. In his career, Hader, a lefty, has a 2.50 ERA over 388 2/3 innings and has struck out 648 batters.
Committing major resources to a closer is always a risky bet, but Hader has a strong track record of dominance and consistency. Aside from 2022, when he posted a 5.22 ERA in 50 innings, Hader has posted an ERA better than league average in every season that he has been in the majors.
Jordan Hicks set to start for Giants on $44 million deal
Jordan Hicks signed with the San Francisco Giants on a four-year, $44 million contract agreed to Jan. 12. The 27-year-old right hander spent last season with the St. Louis Cardinals and Toronto Blue Jays.
After spending most of his career as a reliever, the Giants plan to add Hicks to their starting rotation. He recorded a 3.29 ERA and 81 strikeouts in 2023 in 65 games out of the bullpen for the Cardinals and Blue Jays.
BREAKING: Right-hander Jordan Hicks and the San Francisco Giants are in agreement on a four-year, $44 million contract, a source familiar with the deal tells ESPN. Hicks, 27, is expected to work as a starter after spending the majority of his career in the bullpen.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 12, 2024
Free-agent pitcher Marcus Stroman signed with the Yankees on a deal agreed to Jan. 11. The deal is for two years and $37 million, plus a third-year vesting option.
Stroman spent the past two seasons with the Cubs and was an All-Star in 2023. He ranked No. 12 on Yahoo Sports’ list of this winter’s top free agents.
Right-hander Marcus Stroman and the New York Yankees are in agreement on a contract, sources tell ESPN. Stroman, 32, was an All-Star with the Cubs in 2023 and had a great first half but struggled down the stretch and finished with a 3.95 ERA.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 12, 2024
Live64 updates
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BREAKING: First baseman Rhys Hoskins and the Milwaukee Brewers are finalizing a two-year, $34 million contract with an opt-out after the first season, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 24, 2024
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Free-agent reliever Aroldis Chapman in agreement with the Pittsburgh Pirates, pending physical, according to sources familiar with the deal.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) January 23, 2024
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Free-agent pitcher Robert Stephenson in agreement with the Los Angeles Angels, pending physical, according to sources familiar with the deal.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) January 20, 2024
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MLBTR Top 50 FA unsigned on 1/18/23:
Profar
Chafin
Wachaon 1/18/24:
Bellinger
Snell
Montgomery
M. Chapman
Hader
Soler
J.D. Martinez
Hoskins
Stephenson
Clevinger
A. Chapman
Lorenzen
Urshela
Rosario
Merrifield
Turner
Belt
Neris
Junis
Hendriks
Tim Anderson(+ many others…)
— Céspedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) January 19, 2024
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Hader has no deferrals in deal so it may be considered a record. Diaz $102M deal worth about $94M with deferrals.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 19, 2024
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BREAKING: Star closer Josh Hader and the Houston Astros are in agreement on a five-year, $95 million contract, a source tells ESPN.
The deal contains no deferrals. It is the largest present-day value contract for a relief pitcher in baseball history.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 19, 2024
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Red Sox and Angels are in the bidding for Adam Duvall. Unless someone else comes in late, he’s likely to pick between those two teams.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 18, 2024
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The Astros are trying for star closer Josh Hader as @Ken_Rosenthal mentioned. Will be in my MLB notes coming up later.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 18, 2024
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As we discussed on the podcast, a high-ranking evaluator believes the Cubs will make the most impactful moves the rest of the off-season. “They are the team to watch,” he said.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) January 18, 2024
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BREAKING: Right-hander Jordan Hicks and the San Francisco Giants are in agreement on a four-year, $44 million contract, a source familiar with the deal tells ESPN. Hicks, 27, is expected to work as a starter after spending the majority of his career in the bullpen.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 12, 2024
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Stroman in agreement with Yankees on 2 yrs deal with an option averaging $18.5M a season
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) January 12, 2024
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Right-hander Marcus Stroman and the New York Yankees are in agreement on a contract, sources tell ESPN. Stroman, 32, was an All-Star with the Cubs in 2023 and had a great first half but struggled down the stretch and finished with a 3.95 ERA.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 12, 2024
Christine Lake is a sports fanatic who lives and breathes athletics. With an extensive background in sports journalism, he covers everything from major league championships to grassroots sports events. When she’s not on the field or at the stadium, you’ll find Christine coaching youth sports teams.
