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Milwaukee Brewers starter linked to 7 teams before trade deadline as ‘biggest rental bat’

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Jordan Sigler | Last updated Jun 4, 2025 3:21 PM ET

On Wednesday, the Milwaukee Brewers enter Game 3 of their series against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park with a 33-29 record, good enough for third place in the NL Central.

The Brewers are six games back from the Chicago Cubs for the top of the division and one game back from a wild card contention after winning eight of their last nine games. Milwaukee has no reason to panic sell in June, but they could move pieces before the trade deadline on July 31 if the team isn’t making sufficient progress in the summer.

Rhys Hoskins was tied to seven playoff contenders

Chad Jennings of The Athletic named first baseman Rhys Hoskins as a player to watch on the Brewers before the trade deadline. He thinks Hoskins would be a huge “rental bat” for one of seven playoff contenders who need offensive help.

“The Brewers made the playoffs in six of the past seven seasons, but this year has been a fight simply to reach .500, and the Brewers’ 29.2 percent playoffs odds are modest (but also a meaningful improvement since late May),” Jennings wrote. “Meanwhile, Hoskins is having a strong bounce-back season at the plate (127 wRC+) and could be one of the biggest rental bats available if the Brewers decide to sell.

“Seven playoff contenders (the Kansas City Royals, Minnesota Twins, Texas Rangers, Houston Astros, Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox and San Francisco Giants) have gotten below-average wRC+ from the first base position. Two others (the San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals) have been below average at DH.

“That’s a big market for a slugger like Hoskins. The Rays, should they sell, could find a similar market for first baseman Yandy Díaz, who’s been less productive than Hoskins but does have a substantial track record with a team option for 2026.”

Should the Milwaukee Brewers entertain the trade?

Hoskins is batting .239/.346/.479 with an OPS of .809 with nine home runs and 35 RBI. Unfortunately for his trade value, Hoskins has struggled recently, earning just three hits (for two runs) on 23 at-bats through five games in the last seven days. He took eight strikeouts during that span, but did hit two home runs and drive in six runners.

Hoskins signed a two-year, $34 million deal in 2024. The 32-year-old right-hander has only played for the Philadelphia Phillies in the majors before joining Milwaukee. The native of Sacramento, California, would probably like the idea of ring chasing in the latter part of his career.

But Hoskins still has an opportunity to do that with the Brewers this season. If the team keeps winning, it makes sense to keep him on the roster to see what magic he can make in the last two months of the regular season.

If the Brewers don’t look competitive, they should cut their losses and add pieces that can help the team become competitive in the near future.

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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