This offseason, the Brewers have been active on the trade market. They have not been involved in free agency. Typically, Milwaukee likes to navigate free agency by making low-risk deals. This means avoiding multiyear deals and banking on players outperforming their contracts in order to secure them a better deal in the future. One player the Brewers could consider who fits this mold is the recently DFA’d Eric Hosmer.
It has been quite the past six months for the left-handed first baseman. Hosmer started 2022 off as a member of the Padres. The team was openly shopping him; had not been living up to his eight-year, $144M contract. However, he did have a limited no-trade clause.
In July, he was initially included in the Juan Soto and Josh Bell package. After declining to be a part of that trade, he was quickly dealt to the Boston Red Sox. With being traded, his limited no-trade clause turned into a full no-trade clause. Additionally, the Padres agreed to pay down his salary, and his new team would pay the league minimum.
After a brief 14-game stint in Boston, he has been DFA’d. The Red Sox now have one week to trade him, but this seems unlikely given his full no-trade clause. He could also be claimed on waivers, but he can turn down any claim. It seems likely that the 33-year-old will hit the free-agent market.
With the Padres still responsible for paying off his eight-year contract, he has to be signed for the league-minimum salary. This will provide a team with the opportunity to acquire him for virtually no risk. He would have to be added to the 40-man roster, in which the Brewers roster is currently full.
Throughout his career, Hosmer has a 108 OPS+. He has consistently been slightly better than a league-average first baseman throughout his career. His power numbers have dipped significantly over the years, but he can still hit for a decent batting average.
In terms of fit on the team, the Brewers do have left-handed swinging Rowdy Tellez and Jon Singleton on their 40-man roster. Both of these players can play first base as well. It is hard to imagine the Brewers carrying three left-handed first basemen, which could leave Singleton as the odd man out, as he is not an established big league player.
Playing time-wise, with the addition of the designated hitter, Hosmer could get plenty of at-bats with the Brewers. Adding him could mean more outfield playing time for Jesse Winker, but if improving the offense is a priority over defense, then the move makes sense. This strategy worked for the National League champion Philadelphia Phillies last year.
Milwaukee tends to be a hitter-friendly park to left-handed hitting batters. Combining that and having him on a league-minimum salary makes him an intriguing option for Matt Arnold to consider.
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