Rhys Hoskins is not heading back to Philadelphia after all.
The former Phillies slugger, who spent his first six MLB seasons in the city of brotherly love, has agreed to a deal with the Guardians, The Athletic first reported.
Hoskins’ deal is a minor league pact worth $1.5 million if he makes the team out of spring training.
His new contract comes days after a report that Phillies superstar Bryce Harper, desiring “emotional edge/swagger” for the lineup, suggested a reunion with Hoskins to team president Dave Dombrowski, per 94WIP’s Devan Kaney.
The first baseman was “game to come back and finish the job with the Phillies,” per Kaney, who added that Dombrowski decided against a reunion.
Harper’s desire for offensive reinforcement after an eventful offseason in which Dombrowski lost out on infielder Bo Bichette, who spurned the Phillies to join the National League East rival Mets.
Dombrowski re-signed JT Realmuto and Kyle Schwarber while also stirring controversy by questioning if Harper, a two-time MVP, is still an elite player.
Excluding the COVID-shortened 2020 season, Hoskins averaged 30 homers and 82 RBIs from 2018 through 2022, establishing himself as one of MLB’s most consistent sluggers.
He cemented himself in Phillies lore with a standout postseason in 2022, blasting six home runs as the Phillies reached the World Series.
The following spring, Hoskins was carted off the field days before the regular season after suffering a season-ending torn ACL in a devastating blow.
“I just put my hand on his shoulder, but you know, no words needed to be said right there,’’ then-Phillies outfielder Nick Castellanos said in the aftermath. “What is there really to say? Everybody knows exactly what’s going on. When something like that happens, it’s not taken lightly.
“I think every single person on that field around him [realized] the seriousness of that moment.’’
The brutal injury was compounded by the fact that he was set to hit free agency after the season.
The Phillies did not re-sign Hoskins as he joined the Brewers on a two-year, $34 million pact – but he did not recapture his prior success in Milwaukee.
Hoskins tormented the Mets to begin 2024, but managed a meager .213 average and -0.9 WAR despite notching 26 homers and 82 RBIs.
He started strong last season, but a thumb injury limited him to just 90 games, where he slashed .237/.332/.416 with 12 homers and 43 RBIs.