Sources -- Brewers finalizing deal with free agent Rhys Hoskins - ESPN

First baseman Rhys Hoskins and the Milwaukee Brewers are finalizing a two-year, $34 million contract with an opt-out after the first season, sources told ESPN on Tuesday, filling a significant hole in the reigning National League Central champions' lineup with a veteran power bat.

Hoskins, who turns 31 in March, spent the entire 2023 season on the injured list for the Philadelphia Phillies after tearing the ACL in his left knee during spring training. In his six previous years, Hoskins had been a consistent presence in the middle of Philadelphia's lineup, averaging 30 home runs in his four full seasons and posting a career OPS 25% above league average.

The Phillies' decision to move Bryce Harper to first base on a permanent basis prompted Hoskins to move on from Philadelphia, who selected him in the fifth round of the 2014 draft. Hoskins, who finished fourth in NL Rookie of the Year voting in 2017, hit .246/.332/.462 with 30 home runs during Philadelphia's run to the 2022 World Series.

After blowing out his knee going backward to field a groundball during spring training last year, Hoskins was on the cusp of returning to the Phillies in the postseason but was not on their roster during the NL Championship Series against Arizona. He hit free agency looking for a deal to rebuild his value before hitting the open market again — and the opt-out will allow him to do so.

During his limited time playing in Milwaukee, Hoskins has feasted at Miller Park, slashing .342/.405/.790 with five home runs and eight RBIs in nine games.

With the Brewers, he joins a team hungry for runs. Milwaukee's only offensive addition via free agency this winter had been backup catcher Eric Haase. Milwaukee also will add center fielder Jackson Chourio,