The Boston Red Sox suddenly find themselves in need of a first baseman after Triston Casas was ruled out for the remainder of the season due to knee surgery. Rafael Devers has made it clear he has no intention of shifting to first base, leaving Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow with no choice but to explore external options.
Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter proposed that Boston target Rhys Hoskins from the Milwaukee Brewers. With Milwaukee currently sitting third in the NL Central and possibly approaching seller status ahead of the trade deadline, Hoskins could be available. Reuter pointed out that instead of making a move to replace Casas, the Red Sox have so far relied on internal options like Abraham Toro, Nick Sogard, and the now-injured Romy González. While they could use this opportunity to promote top prospect Marcelo Mayer, trading for a proven bat such as Hoskins or Nathaniel Lowe remains a serious consideration.
Hoskins signed a two-year, \$34 million contract last offseason after missing the entire 2023 season with a torn ACL. His deal includes a player option for 2026 and a mutual option worth \$18 million for 2027. Given his current performance — a .292/.396/.462 slash line with five home runs — he may choose to opt out in pursuit of a more lucrative contract. If the Brewers anticipate that possibility, they might be inclined to move him for future assets.
Hoskins, who hit 26 home runs last season and has demonstrated consistent 20-30 home run power, is currently one of the most productive hitters in Milwaukee’s lineup. But if the team doesn’t turn things around soon, their playoff hopes could fade — making a trade to a contender like Boston increasingly likely. The Red Sox, looking to climb past the Yankees in the AL East, could benefit greatly from his offensive boost.
