The Chicago Cubs look at first base as a potential area of upgrade this offseason.

Cody Bellinger, who can play that position along with outfield, is on the free-agent market and with every passing day is more and more unlikely to return. The Cubs have made noise about allowing Christopher Morel to try the position out in Spring Training. While his bat is a fit, it’s unclear if his glove is a fit.

There are trade winds regarding New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso. And, of course, it seems unlikely the Cubs would make a big move until they know for certain how their pursuit of free-agent superstar Shohei Ohtani will end.

Which is why, when The Athletic sought to find a free-agent fit for each team in a recent article by former GM Jim Bowden, he sought to help the Cubs solve their first-base problem — for at least one season — with a player that needs a place to land after missing all of 2023 with an injury.

To Bowden, that’s why a one-year deal worth $15 million for former Philadelphia first baseman Rhys Hoskins makes sense: