By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
Top free agent Bryce Harper and Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins are more connected than we might perceive them to be. Not only are both clients of famous baseball agent Scott Boras, and are followers of each other on social media like Instagram, but the two also apparently have kept in contact this offseason.
On Tuesday, Hoskins told reporters that it is "probably safe to assume" that he has talked to Harper this offseason.
"It's just more of me offering any look at to what this city's like, what the organization's like, what the clubhouse is like, [and] what Kap is like," Hoskins said. "It's not me offering information to him."
Hoskins added that if Harper wants such "information," however, he has expressed to the six-time All-Star that he is "here for a chat if he wants it," and is "here to help."
#Phillies 1B Rhys Hoskins on if he has talked to Bryce Harper pic.twitter.com/8St95qWWFY
— Dave Uram (@MrUram) December 18, 2018
The offseason hot stove can be exhausting. Harper, and other free agents or trade targets, have been linked to multiple clubs with varying rumors of probability since arguably the final out of the 2018 World Series. Hoskins said he checks Twitter for the latest rumors, but he is not "actively seeking things" on the social media platform.
"I've figured out in my short time in baseball that as soon as you feel like you know what's going on, you don't know what's going on," Hoskins said. "It's probably already changed. So as soon as I see a press conference, that's when I know it's official."
Here’s Hoskins on his involvement in the Phillies’ free-agent push: pic.twitter.com/tdCL1St4v5
— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) December 18, 2018
The Phillies held one press conference in particular on Tuesday, introducing five-time All-Star and four-time Silver Slugger Award outfielder Andrew McCutchen. Hoskins said the think he looks forward to learning the most from McCutchen is how he has handled being a non-vocal leader like himself.
"The biggest thing is just the experience factor. I think he and I are very similar in the way that we like to lead. It's not necessarily going to be vocal all the time," Hoskins said. "I'm actually just excited to have conversations with him about that, see how he's handled certain situations in the past, and learn from his experience."
RELATED | Hoskins on Machado, Harper: Always 'Right Time' to Add 'Generational Player'
Along with McCutchen and adding Jean Segura, among other players so far this offseason, Hoskins believes the Phillies have "already gotten better as a baseball team," even if they do not acquire Harper or Manny Machado.
"I think if spring training and the season started right now, I think we would be a better baseball team now than what we were at the end of last season," Hoskins said. "That's really all you can ask."
Hoskins and the Phillies likely are far from over improving their roster. When asked if the club is an "attractive desalination," the slugger replied that "you would hope," in part thanks to its improved season in 2018.
"[McCutchen] saw it first-hand when he came in as a visitor last year, [and said that] 'I think something special was brewing here,'" Hoskins said. "I would agree with him. Obviously there is a plethora of young talent here, and I think that's exciting for guys when you see that.
"I think the ultimate goal of everyone is to win, and win as much as possible. With that young talent, hopefully you are able to win for a long period of time."
