Rhys Hoskins' market appears to be picking up while Cubs continue to stress patience

It's widely been believed that free-agent first baseman Rhys Hoskins would wind up with the Chicago Cubs this off-season given the need that the team has for power and at first base.

During the Winter Meetings earlier this month, it was reported that the Cubs and Hoskins have had discussion on different contract structures. At the time, the Cubs were in the middle of a "pursuit" of Shohei Ohtani.

Now that the dust has settled and Ohtani has officially been introduced by the Los Angeles Dodgers, there has been anticipation from fans for the Cubs to begin their off-season activity.

There have been few updates on Cubs and Hoskins since the Winter Meetings while a new team has entered the mix. Jon Morosi reported on Saturday that the Seattle Mariners are a team that has expressed interest in Hoskins.

This is the first time that a team other than the Cubs has been mentioned as a suitor for Hoskins. The Mariners are believed to be in the market for a power-hitter this off-season but may not have the financial means to pursue Cody Bellinger. Hoskins would be an ideal fit for the Mariners as he may be open to a pillow contract after missing the 2023 season.

Hoskins would be the second real miss that the Cubs have had this off-season. Unlike their chances of signing Ohtani or trading for Juan Soto, Hoskins appeared to be both a fit for the Cubs' needs on the field while also being a fit financially for the front office's spending habits. If Hoskins does wind up with a different team than the Cubs, then there may need to be serious questions regarding how patient Jed Hoyer has been.

More Chicago Cubs News