MLB World Reacts To The Eric Hosmer News
Free agent first baseman Eric Hosmer finally found a new home.
Multiple outlets confirmed on Wednesday that the former World Series champion agreed to a one-year contract with the Chicago Cubs.
Eric Hosmer is in agreement with the Cubs, sources tell ESPN. @JonHeyman mentioned they were close yesterday.
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) January 4, 2023
Hosmer will make just above the MLB minimum in the Windy City, but the San Diego Padres still owe him nearly $40 million of the $144 million they agreed to pay him before the 2018 campaign.
Hosmer was almost traded from San Diego to the Washington Nationals before last year’s deadline, but he opted against the move and was eventually moved to the Boston Red Sox.
The Red Sox recently released him after he hit .244 /.320/.311 in 50 plate appearances in the second half.
Overall, the 33-year-old hit just .268/.334/.382 with eight home runs in 104 games last season between the two teams.
It’s a low-cost gamble by the Cubs, who already made another one with Cody Bellinger (another former World Series champ).
The expectation is that Hosmer offers at least league-average production until Cubs prospect Matt Mervis is ready to take over.
As mentioned yesterday, Hosmer is the Carlos Peña of the current rebuild. Mash Mervis is the future. #Plakata #GoCubsGo https://t.co/JX9odysjxD
— Billy Krumb (@ClubhouseCancer) January 4, 2023
Since expectations are probably adjusted at this point (Hosmer hasn’t come close to his formerly stellar form in a couple of years now), most Cubs fans are actually content with giving him a chance.
#EricHosmer is now a Cub! Not a bad move for the #Cubs or Eric. Best of luck, have a great 2023!https://t.co/w8T5YcyQg4
— Getting Ahead In The Count (@GAITCfantasybb) January 4, 2023
I will Eric Hosmer as my primary 1B all day long.
Wrigley Field is a hitter’s park and Hosmer will benefit from it. Experienced hitter, playoff performer and a winner.
Good signing, Jed. #Cubs
— AJB 🇳🇱 (@Arjun_AJB15) January 4, 2023
Great show once again! I told Sam, I really think Eric Hosmer is going to prove a lot of people wrong. Do y’all think we are done or getting another reliever/another bat?
— ErikTheUnderdog (@liberty_erik) January 4, 2023
Slowly but surely, the Cubs are putting together a team that, if several best-case scenario situations occur, could find itself in contention for a Wild Card spot.
One of those players they need to “hit” is Hosmer, who is capable of rebounding but will need to put in a lot of work to return to being an above-average first baseman.
Only time will tell if this move will work out when all is said and done.