Giants Reportedly Miss Out on Rhys Hoskins as Slugger Signs with Brewers

In yet another disappointing turn in their pursuit of notable free agents, the San Francisco Giants reportedly swung and missed on slugger Rhys Hoskins. Multiple reports on Thursday confirmed that the Giants had made a push to acquire the right-handed hitter before he ultimately reached an agreement with the Milwaukee Brewers.

According to sources cited by the San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser, the Giants made a "minor run" at Hoskins, while the New York Post's Jon Heyman noted that the club made a "late play" for the first baseman. However, it seems the Giants' efforts fell short.

Hoskins, a Sacramento native, secured a lucrative two-year contract worth $34 million from the Brewers earlier this week, as reported by various sources. The deal also includes a player option in the second year, providing Hoskins with the opportunity to rebuild his value in 2024 and potentially hit free agency again next year.

It appears that the Giants' offer to Hoskins was far from competitive, with Slusser reporting that it "wasn't close" to what Milwaukee was offering. This represents another blow to San Francisco's aspirations of acquiring impactful offensive talent this offseason.

Hoskins, who will turn 31 in March, had a solid performance in 2022 before his season was cut short due to a torn ACL suffered during spring training. In 156 games, he hit .246 with 30 home runs and 79 RBIs. Over his six seasons in the major leagues, Hoskins has maintained a career batting average of .242 with 148 homers and 405 RBIs.

Despite the setback with Hoskins, the Giants may still be in the market for offensive reinforcements. Notable hitters such as Cody Bellinger, Jorge Soler, J.D. Martinez, and Matt Chapman remain available as free agents. However, any hopes of a potential return of Joc Pederson to the Giants can be ruled out, as he reportedly agreed to a one-year deal with division rivals, the Arizona Diamondbacks, on Thursday.

As the Giants continue their search for impactful offensive additions, they will need to regroup and reassess their options after missing out on Rhys Hoskins. The competition for available hitters remains fierce in the open market, requiring shrewd decision-making and potentially exploring trade opportunities to strengthen the team's lineup for the upcoming season.