The Philadelphia Phillies' spring training roster took shape after re-signing J.T. Realmuto on January 16.
With that move, the team wasn't expected to make further additions, aside from minor league deals with remaining free agents. Rhys Hoskins, a familiar name, surfaced in rumors linking him with the Phillies.
Hoskins, who spent six seasons with Philadelphia, signed a minor league deal with the Cleveland Guardians on February 23. Before this, there was buzz that Bryce Harper had urged the Phillies' president of baseball operations, Dave Dombrowski, to consider bringing Hoskins back into the fold.
However, Harper recently addressed these rumors on SportsRadio 94WIP's Morning Show, clarifying the situation. "We didn't really talk about Rhys during the offseason," Harper stated.
He mentioned that while there had been discussions about Hoskins last year around the trade deadline, there were no talks this offseason. Harper acknowledged the fondness for Hoskins but noted that a reunion "just didn't fit for us as a team right now."
Despite reports from 94WIP's Devan Kaney suggesting Harper advocated for Hoskins' return, citing a need for more right-handed power and swagger, the fit wasn't right. With Harper at first base and Kyle Schwarber as the designated hitter, there simply wasn't room for Hoskins. Plus, the Phillies already have competition for outfield spots, making it tough to accommodate him.
Hoskins' recent performance with the Milwaukee Brewers saw him hit 26 home runs with 82 RBIs in 2024, despite a challenging 2025 season marred by injuries. He ended up with 12 homers and 43 RBIs, missing significant time due to a thumb sprain and bone bruise.
While Harper and his former teammates might have liked to see Hoskins back in a Phillies uniform, the current roster dynamics made it impractical. The decision not to pursue him aligns with the team's strategic needs, even if the sentiment for a reunion was strong.