Could the Milwaukee Brewers part ways with one of their top sluggers before the start of the 2025 season?
Milwaukee has already demonstrated a willingness to trade key players, such as when they dealt All-Star closer Devin Williams to the New York Yankees for Nestor Cortes and Caleb Durbin.
There has been some speculation about the possibility of trading first baseman Rhys Hoskins. This is purely conjecture at the moment, but with Hoskins set to earn $18 million in 2025 after exercising his player option, the Brewers may explore moving him.
If a trade were to happen, it could help the Brewers free up funds for other needs. Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller proposed a potential trade scenario where the Brewers send Hoskins to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Miller suggested that when the Brewers signed Hoskins last offseason, they hoped his performance on a $12 million salary in 2024 would encourage him to opt out of the remaining $34 million on his contract. However, now they face the prospect of carrying his $18 million salary for 2025, along with a $4 million buyout of his 2026 mutual option unless they can move him.
Miller speculated that the Pirates, known for taking risks on players coming off disappointing seasons, might be interested in Hoskins. The proposed deal would involve the Brewers sending Hoskins and $8 million in cash to the Pirates in exchange for infielder Tsung-Che Cheng.
Such a trade could open the door for the Brewers to target a new first baseman on the market.