The Guardians added a right-handed bat, finally, bringing Rhys Hoskins in on a minor-league deal today.
First, the reasons the team is bringing Hoskins in:
I think the player this addition affects most is likely Johnathan Rodriguez. Hoskins is very likely a better DH option than Rodriguez will be, and I think the Guardians are likely correct in that assessment. Hoskins also gives the useful aspect of being an average defender at first (vs. Rodriguez being a terrible defender everywhere). This move also probably makes Nolan Jones more of a depth piece than a relied upon starter, which is good news.
I expect that as long as Hoskins is healthy, he will make the Opening Day Roster, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we start to see David Fry become an option in right field, despite Vogt’s earlier indications that he wouldn’t be. The collection of hitters for Opening Day seems likely, at the moment, to be:
C – Bo, Hedges, Fry
1B – Manzardo and Hoskins
2B – Arias or Brito
3B – Jose
SS – Rocchio
LF – Kayfus or Valera (or Kwan, if centerfield doesn’t pan out)
CF – Kwan (or Jones or DeLauter if Kwan is in left)
RF – DeLauter (or Valera or Kayfus if Kwan is in left)
Utility Infielder: Daniel Schneemann (or Gabriel Arias if Brito makes the team)
Utility Outfielder: Stuart Fairchild or Angel Martinez
The good news is that Fry, Kayfus, Rodriguez, Schneemann, and Valera all have options and can be useful depth in Columbus as need be. Nolan Jones, also, can probably be designated for assignment and passed through to Columbus if he doesn’t make the roster (though I suspect he would probably be traded, instead). This is important for a team that wants to have the piece necessary to survive the grind of a 162-game season while maintaining a consistent level of offense.
Finally, Hoskins had a wRC+ of over 130 last season before he injured his thumb a couple months into the season. Seems a reasonable chance that healthy thumb Hoskins can be that kind of threat again. Choosing the Guardians as his minor-league deal option means Hoskins thinks he has a good shot to make the roster here.
I feel much better about the Guardians’ offseason. I’d like to see Randal Grichuk also brought into camp to add to the competition for right-handed outfielders, but this is enough to call off the worst of the dogs in terms of Guardians’ offseason inactivity for me. Last second heave by Chris Antonetti with the game clock expiring – and it’s good!