cubs and first baseman Eric Hosmer Report close to a deal New York Post’s John Heyman.
Hosmer, 33, had the good fortune to have the best season of his career fresh out of free agency. 318/.385/.498 in his 2017, his final season with the Royals. His wRC+ is 135, which shows he was 35% better than the league average hitter. He was, in FanGraphs’ eyes, worth 3.8 wins over exchanges that year, and that mark and his wRC+ that season still stand out as his career highs.
Prior to the 2018 season, Hosmer signed an eight-year, $144 million deal with the Padres. That overpayment became even more severe as Hosmer’s production plummeted with his new team. Since signing that contract he has achieved .265/.325/.409 and achieved wRC+ 100. This is exactly the league average. He has won his four Golds with his Glove Award, but advanced defensive metrics don’t really appeal to him for his work on the field. With his defensive runs saved, his zone ultimate rating, and above-average outs all, he is considered to be a below-average first baseman in his career. All in all, he’s basically been a replacement-level player over the past five seasons, during which his fWAR tally has him at 0.3.
Hosmer’s name has surfaced in trade talks over the years, given the huge deal and underperformance. The Padres weren’t able to line anything up until this summer.They originally called Hoz Juan Soto But he blocked it with a restrictive no-deal clause. Luke Voight He was put in that deal instead, but the Friars then tipped him off to Boston with some prospects. Jay Groom go the opposite way. San Diego had to agree to eat all of Hosmer’s remaining salary, minus the league minimum, in order to make it happen.
Sox promoted a young prospect Triston Casas Encouraged by his debut at Fenway enough to release Hosmer after just a few months. This leaves Hosmer free to sign with any team on league minimum terms, with the Padres still on the hook for the remaining three years of their contract. The Cubs seem to have stepped up to be that team. The fit is a fairly logical one, as turnips have no real risk. If he can make some conversions to his previous form, that’s a nice bonus.
The Cubs didn’t have a real daily first baseman in 2022. Alfonso Rivas, Frank Schwindel, PJ Higgins, Patrick Wisdom and some other role players. They all had disappointing years and are no longer on the team’s roster, except for Wisdom, who can also play third base. Higgins and Rivas are due to head to Japan last month, and Schwindel this year.
Perhaps the best in-house option the club has is outlook Matt MarvisAn undrafted free agent who was largely unnoticed a year ago, he will show a monster in 2022 and soar the rankings. .650, 189 for wRC+. He hit Double A, hitting .300/.370/.596 and wRC+ he was 148. After moving to Triple-A, his line was .297/.383/.593, 152. wRC+ Incredibly, his walk rate has improved from 4.6% to 8.7% to 10.4% and his strikeout rate has dropped from 24.1% to 20% to 14.6%. The Cubs decided to keep his good run by sending him to the Arizona Falls in his league, batting . 262/. 324/. 590 in 17 games.
The addition of Hosmer does interfere with Mervis’ day-to-day operations in a way, but it shouldn’t prevent Mervis from stealing his job at some point. As previously mentioned, Hosmer can be jettisoned at any time with no real effect on the Cubs. If Marvis seems like a better option, either in spring training or after, it should be a fairly easy swap. Hosmer will give the club a passable veteran to keep the forts in check if Marvis struggles to maintain momentum from a fantastic 2022.
The Orioles have had a relationship with Hosmer since his release from Boston, but they’ll have to look elsewhere if a deal with the Cubs is finalized. The O’s are looking for a left-handed bat that works in the first base/corner outfield/designated hitter combination and seem to be focusing on low-cost options. Nomar Mazzara When Francie Cordero In addition to minor league contracts, also claimed Levin Diaz However, they later designated Diaz for assignment and traded him to the Braves.a similar situation Jake Cave, was waived by the Twins, but lost to the Phillies in subsequent waivers. Earlier today, O was acquired. Ryan O’Hearn From Royals, we add another option to the mix.
