It's official: Brewers announce signing of slugging first baseman Rhys Hoskins

Rhys Hoskins is now in the fold.

The slugging first baseman, whose pending deal with the Milwaukee Brewers was first reported earlier in the week, was officially announced Friday as the team's latest addition.

Hoskins, who turns 31 on March 17, signed a two-year contract that includes a player opt-out after the 2024 season and a mutual option for 2026.

According to the Associated Press, Hoskins will receive a $12 million salary this season and an $18 million salary in 2025 with a $4 million buyout. He'd be paid $18 million in 2026 if both sides exercised their options, with another $4 million buyout.

Hoskins hasn't played since tearing the ACL in his left knee in a spring-training game last March 23. Hoskins underwent surgery a week later.

"We are excited to add the power bat, leadership and experience of Rhys Hoskins to our lineup," said general manager Matt Arnold. "Rhys is a proven winner who has worked tirelessly to get back on the field, and we look forward to his return to action this season."

By bringing Hoskins aboard, the Brewers – for at least this season – have addressed a glaring need for a power bat at one of the corner positions.

Hoskins hit 148 home runs and drove in 405 runs in 667 games since first breaking into the major leagues with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2017.

He hit 27 homers or more four times and 30 or more twice. In his last healthy season with Philadelphia in 2022, Hoskins hit .246 with 30 homers and 79 RBI while compiling an OPS of .794.

A right-handed hitter, Hoskins should slot perfectly into the middle of Milwaukee's lineup, providing a potent threat against left-handed pitching (.921 career OPS).

Hoskins does strike out frequently (169 in 2022) but also displays a good eye at the plate (72 walks in 2022, National League-leading 116 in 2019).

Also notable: Hoskins will wear uniform No. 12. He wore 17 for the entirety of his tenure with the Phillies, but the Brewers haven't issued that number since Jim Gantner retired following the 1992 season.

Having solved first base for the time being, Milwaukee now will likely turn its sights to further addressing its glaring need for production at third base.

To that end, the Brewers reportedly added another potential name to the mix in Christian Arroyo, a 28-year-old utility man who had played for the Boston Red Sox since 2020.

Milwaukee has yet to officially announce Arroyo's signing, which would be a minor-league deal with an invitation to major-league spring training.

Arroyo was a first-round draft pick of the San Francisco Giants in 2013 and broke into the majors in 2017. He's a career .252 hitter with 24 homers and 120 RBI over 295 career games that also includes stints with the Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Guardians.

According to MLB.com, Arroyo could make $1.5 million in incentives if he makes the roster.

Arroyo would be the 17th non-roster player to take part in camp with the Brewers this spring.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Brewers make official their signing of first baseman Rhys Hoskins