Bryce Harper sets record straight after Phillies-Rhys Hoskins reunion rumors

The Philadelphia Phillies had their spring training roster mainly finalized following the team agreeing to re-sign J.T. Realmuto on Jan. 16. The club wasn't expected to make any more additions, save from agreeing on minor league deals with any remaining notable free agents. One of the players available over the winter whose name surfaced in rumors connecting him with the Phillies recently was Rhys Hoskins.

Hoskins, who played six seasons with Philadelphia, signed a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training with the Cleveland Guardians on Feb. 23. Before the signing, a report surfaced that Bryce Harper reportedly urged the president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski to bring Hoskins back.

Bryce Harper shuts down reported Phillies-Rhys Hoskins reunion rumors

However, the first baseman squashed speculation of a desire for a reunion with the former Phillie during a recent appearance on SportsRadio 94WIP's Morning Show with Joe DeCamara and Jon Ritchie.

"We didn't really talk about Rhys [during the offseason]," Harper said. "We talked about Rhys maybe last year [at the trade] deadline at a certain point, but we never talked about Rhys this offseason, or team wise, we didn't... I mean, maybe internally they did, but for us, we never talked about it in camp or anything like that.

"Obviously, you'd always love to have Rhys back [in] any fashion. It kind of just doesn't fit for us as a team right now. With the DH spot, first base, outfield, that kind of stuff, so it just didn't really make sense... but obviously we would have loved to have him back at any point but [it] just didn't make sense."

According to 94WIP's Devan Kaney, sources told her that Harper wanted Dombrowski to sign Hoskins as recently as last week. Despite Hoskins reportedly being open to signing a deal with Philadelphia, Dombrowski decided bringing the infielder back wouldn't be a good fit, per Kaney.

While the organization and fan base would have liked to have had Hoskins back in a Phillies uniform, Harper's comments on the matter are accurate. Hoskins wouldn't have a spot to play, with Harper at first base and Kyle Schwarber the full-time designated hitter. Hoskins played in left field during his first two seasons with Philadelphia back in 2017 and 2018, but the club already has plenty of competition for an Opening Day spot to platoon with Brandon Marsh.

Hoskins totaled 26 home runs and 82 RBIs, with a slash line of .214/.303/.419 and a .722 OPS in 131 games in his first season with the Milwaukee Brewers in2024. Last year was a struggle as he dealt with a sprained left thumb and a bone bruise that caused him to miss almost half the season. He totaled 12 homers, 43 RBIs, and slashed .237/.332/.416 with a .748 OPS in 90 contests. He received a reduced role upon his return from the IL, and he was left off Milwaukee's playoff roster.

Regarding rumors of Harper advocating for the organization to sign Hoskins, the former Phillie wouldn't have been a suitable fit. Harper and the rest of his former teammates, who were on the club with Hoskins, would have liked to have him back. However, a reunion wouldn't have made sense with their current roster construction.