Brewers could take advantage of Astros' desperation after Nolan Arenado trade fails

For the Milwaukee Brewers, this offseason is about being opportunistic. So far, they have already let Willy Adames leave for the Giants and then sent Devin Williams to the Yankees just last week. However, Milwaukee has also expressed a strong desire to contend in 2025 (easier said than done) and were among the teams that were in on Garrett Crochet before he was traded to Boston. One factor that has continued to hold the Brewers up is the presence of Rhys Hoskins after he exercised his option.

This isn't an indictment of Hoskins as a human or a clubhouse leader, but just a recognition of the Brewers financial reality. Christian Yelich and Hoskins are the two highest paid players on the Brewers roster and given the limited financial flexibility Milwaukee has, having a guy under contract for $18 million in 2025 who is coming off a season where he hit .214 and posted -0.2 rWAR is far from ideal from a "bang for one's buck" standpoint (Yelich's contract is another matter entirely).

Given all of that, it isn't surprising whatsoever that the Brewers are willing to trade Hoskins this offseason to ease the financial burden. With the Astros trade for Nolan Arenado falling through after Arenado nixed the deal, this could be a prime opportunity for the Brewers to pounce.

Brewers dealing Rhys Hoskins to the Astros just became a lot more realistic after Arenado fallout

Here is how this would probably have to play out. Houston would have not end up with Arenado (which, in theory, isn't completely dead) and also not end up re-signing Alex Bregman which seems close to dead as well. Given the Astros' somewhat limited payroll space, that would leave them needing to replace Bregman at third AND finding a first baseman. The latter is where Hoskins comes in.

Assuming this scenario, Milwaukee could trade Hoskins to the Astros for a modest return assuming Houston is willing to take on most of his remaining salary. Hoskins has a mutual option for 2026 which prevents the Astros being on the hook for too much, although the $4 million buyout on that option plus his existing salary could depress the trade return a bit. That would allow Houston to have a bit more money to address third base/any other roster upgrades while getting a bat at first with real upside while Milwaukee would get Hoskins' money off the Brewers' books to make other moves this offseason.

Is this a perfect fit? Absolutely not. Hoskins' down year in 2024 did not help his value whatsoever and the Astros could prefer to go after a big name at first like Pete Alonso or Christian Walker if they end up truly missing out on Bregman and Arenado. Still, the Brewers would be well-served to at least give Houston a ring and see if they would be open a deal while there are still players out there worth spending the money on that would be saved by moving Hoskins.

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